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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

GIFT  OF 

Mrs,  Arthur  Jory 


Restoration  of  Name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge 


©fftrial 


Richmond  Press.  Print. 


JEFFERSON  DAVIS 

Secretary  of  War.  U.  S.  A.,  1853-1857 


The  Restoration  of  the  Name  of  Jefferson 

Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge, 

Washington,  District  of 

Columbia 


Being  the  Official  Correspondence  Leading  to  This 

Restoration 


PUBLISHED  BY 

THE  CONFEDERATED  SOUTHERN  MEMORIAL 

"ASSOCIATION,  OF  NEW  ORLEANS, 

LOUISIANA 

1909 


Copyright,    1909, 

By    The   Confederate   Southern    Memorial    Association, 
New   Orleans,   La. 


GIFT 


INTRODUCTION. 

THE  purpose  of  this  pamphlet  is  to  relate  officially,  in 
chronological  order,  the  history  of  the  restoration  of 
the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis,  Secretary  of  War  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge,  at  Wash 
ington,  District  of  Columbia — a  page  of  American  History 
restored  to  its  rightful  place. 

For  the  information  of  those  who  are  not  familiar  with 
the  history  of  the  Union  Arch,  better  known  as  the  Cabin 
John  Bridge,  the  Aqueduct  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  the  follow 
ing  facts  are  given  : 

On  April  21,  1852,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  took 
the  initiatory  steps  to  supply  Washington  and  Georgetown 
with  good  water,  by  appropriating  $5,000  for  surveys,  &c. 
Later  successive  appropriations  were  made  as  follows :  1853, 
$100,000;  1855,  $250,000;  1856,  $250,000;  1857,  $1,000,000;  1858, 
$800,000;  1859,  no  appropriation,  but  a  law  passed  for  the 
care  of  the  aqueduct;  1860,  $500,000;  1863  the  masonry  engi 
neering  was  practically  completed.  The  chief  engineer  was 
Montgomery  C.  Meigs,  with  Charles  T.  Curtis  as  general  super 
intendent  and  inspector.  Much  of  the  detail  of  the  plans 
and  drawing  was  by  Alfred  L.  Rives,  of  Virginia. 

The  measurements,  including  the  abutments,  are :  over  all 
length,  450  feet ;  single  span,  220  feet ;  rise,  57.26  feet ;  at  the 
crown,  thick  4.2  feet;  brick  conduit,  9  feet  diameter;  and  road 
way  about  100  feet  above  the  ravine.  Materials:  abutments, 
of  gneiss  from  Maryland;  rubble  arch  and  spandrels,  of  Sen 
eca  sandstone;  and  the  stone  arch,  or  ring  of  granite,  from 
Quincy,  Massachusetts. 

The  first  work  on  the  bridge  proper  began  in  1857,  while 
Jefferson  Davis  was  Secretary  of  War.  As  the  construction 
of  this  enormous  undertaking  was  under  the  supervision  of 
the  War  Department,  his  name  was  cut  on  the  tablet  in  the 
western  end  of  the  bridge. 


546 


The  War  between  the  States  was  deelared  1861.  Jeffer 
son  Davis,  then  Member  of  Congress,  resigned  and  returned 
to  the  South,  where  he  was  made  President  of  the  new  Gov 
ernment — the  Confederate  States  of  America — and  was  the 
only  President  during  the  existence  of  that  Government,  1861 
to  1865. 

Owing  to  the  pressure  incident  to  war,  on  June  18,  1862, 
Congress  transferred  the  work  of  construction  of  the  bridge 
from  the  War  Department  to  the  Department  of  the  Interior, 
of  which  Caleb  B.  Smith  was  secretary,  with  William  R.  Hut- 
ton  as  chief  engineer.  Feeling  ran  high  in  Washington 
against  Jefferson  Davis  for  casting  his  lot  in  war  with  his 
own  people,  the  Confederates,  and  in  1862  his  name  disappeared 
from  the  tablet  in  the  Cabin  John  Bridge. 

In  1892,  twenty-seven  years  after  the  Confederate  War, 
the  former  chief  engineer  of  the  bridge — General  M.  C. 
Meigs — died.  At  once  rumor  renewed  the  old  story  to  the 
effect  that  he  (Gen.  Meigs)  had  ordered  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  erased  from  the  bridge.  On  September  8th  of  that  year, 
1892,  a  card  was  published  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  newspapers, 
by  William  R.  Hutton,  chief  engineer  of  the  bridge  in  1862 
(the  year  the  name  was  erased),  when  the  construction  was 
under  the  Department  of  the  Interior — a  card  stating  that, 
when  the  construction  of  the  bridge  was  transferred  to  the 
Department  of  the  Interior,  the  first  order  given  him  (Hutton) 
by  Caleb  B.  Smith  was  to  erase  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis. 
Chief  Engineer  Ilutton  continues:  "Not  taking  seriously  the 
Secretary's  remarks,  I  did  nothing  in  the  matter".  He  further 
states  that  a  week  later  the  contractor,  Robert  Mclntyre,  "ar 
rived  to  resume  work  on  the  bridge";  the  Secretary  gave 
Mclntyre  the  order,  and  that  Mclntyre 's  "first  work  was  to 
remove  Mr.  Davis'  name". 

It  is  hoped  that  this  clear  statement  of  Chief  Engineer 
Ilutton  as  the  final  explanation  of  this  unfortunate  act,  will 
be  accepted  by  all.  His  personal  part  in  the  matter  should 
be  satisfactory  as  proof  of  the  truth  of  his  statement. 


Iii  1867  the  supervision  of  the  aqueduct  was  transferred 
back  to  the  War  Department  from  the  Department  of  the 
Interior.  On  February  16,  1909,  President  Koosevelt  ordered 
the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge 
by  the  War  Department.  Four  days  later,  February  20, 
1909,  the  Secretary  of  War,  General  Luke  E.  Wright,  repeated 
this  order  to  his  chief  of  engineers.  On  May  14,  1909,  the  last 
letter — S — of  Mr.  Davis'  name  was  carved.  The  entire  face 
of  the  tablet  was  ''resurfaced",  without  removing  it  from  Jts 
position,  and  the  original  inscription,  including  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis,  recarved. 

For  many  of  the  above  facts,  I  am  indebted  to  an  article 
in  the  "Records  of  the  Columbia  Historical  Society"  by  Mr. 
William  T.  S.  Curtis,  vol.  2,  1899,  page  293,  published  in  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.  This  article  is  full  of  interesting  and  most 
instructive  information.  It  is  greatly  enhanced  by  a  liberal 
number  of  handsome  illustrations  of  the  progressive  stages 
of  the  construction  of  the  bridge. 

Richmond  is  selected  as  the  city  of  publication,  because 
Jefferson  Davis  was  occupying  his  official  residence,  as  Presi 
dent  of  the  Confederate  States,  in  this  city  in  1862,  when  his 
name  was  erased  from  the  bridge. 

At  no  time  did  any  ceremony  attend  the  work  of  restora 
tion.  But  thousands  went  to  watch  the  single  stone-cutter 
at  work,  and  to  listen  quietly  while  his  ringing  blows  sang  out 
the  glad  news.  Among  them  were  young  girls  from  Vir 
ginia,  West  Virginia.  Maryland,  North  Carolina,  and  other 
States.  Some  of  them  begged  to  be  allowed  to  climb  the 
scaffold,  and  the  good-natured  stone-cutter  allowed  it.  When 
one  would  designate  the  exact  bit  of  stone  she  wanted,  he 
would  chisel  the  tiny  chip  into  her  uplifted  hand,  to  be  carried 
away  a  treasure. 

When  the  restoration  was  completed,  it  passed  silently 
into  the  records  of  a  great  nation. 

MRS.  J.  EXDERS  ROBTXSOX. 

Editor  and  Publication  Committee- 


THE 

CABIN  JOHN  BRIDGE  COMMITTEE 
Appointed  by 

THE  CONFEDERATED  SOUTHERN  MEMORIAL 
ASSOCIATION 

1907 


The  following  persons  have  been  requested  to  serve  on  the  "Cabin 
John  Bridge"  Committee,  and  have  accepted:* 

HON.  ADOLPH  MEYER,  M.  C.  from       Louisiana,  Washington,  D.  C. 

GENERAL  S.  D.  LEE,  Commander-in-Chief,  U.  C.  V.,  Columbus,  Miss. 

MB.  JNO.  W.  APPERSON,  Commander-in-Chief,  U.  S.  C.  V.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 

MBS.  LIZZIE  GEOBGE  HENDEBSON,  Pres't  Gen'l  U.  D.  C.,  Greenwood, 
Miss. 

MBS.  GEO.  S.  HOLMES,  Pres't  Jefferson  Davis  Mon't  Ass'n,  Charles 
ton,  S.  C. 

MBS.  J.  ENDEBS  ROBINSON,  Sfcc'y  Conf.  Mem.  Lit.  Society,  Rich 
mond,  Va. 

MRS.  ALFRED  GRAY,  Act.  Pres't  Conf.  Mem.  Lit.  Society,  Rich 
mond,  Va. 


Miss  K.  C.  STILES.  Regent  of  Georgia  Room,  Conf.  Museum,  Rich 
mond,  Va. — declined. 

Miss  M.  B.  POPPEXHEIM,  Ladies'  Memorial  Ass'n,  Charleston,  S.  C. 
MBS.  W.   J.   BEHAN,  Pres't   C.   S.   M.   A.,  Chairman,   1207   Jackson 
Ave.,  New  Orleans. 

MRS.  W.   J.   BEHAX, 
MRS.  GEO.  A.  WILLIAMS,  President. 

Cor.  Sec'y. 
(Official) 


*  [Editor's  Note. — :At  the  expiration  '  (November,  1907,)  of  her  term  as 
President-General  of  the  U.  D.  C.,  Mrs.  Henderson  retired  from  the 
Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  incoming 
President-General  of  the  U.  D.  C.,  Mrs.  C.  B.  Stone.  March,  1908,  the 
Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  of  Louisiana,  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
committee  to  succeed  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer,  deceased.  1908,  Gen.  Clement 
A.  Evans,  Commander-in-Chief  of  United  Confederate  Veterans,  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  committee  to  succeed  Gen.  Stephen  D.  Lee, 
Commander-in-Chief,  deceased.] 


Upon  the  return  of  Mrs.  Behan  from  the  Richmond  Convention  of 
the  C.  S.  M.  A.  to  New  Orleans,  she  had  a  personal  interview  with 
the  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer.  Member  of  Congress  from  Louisiana,  relative 
to  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis,  and  at  this  conference 
he  accepted  the  position  of  official  representative  from  the  C.  S.  M.  A.  to 
the  United  States  Government.  As  soon  as  Mr.  Meyer  went  to 
Washington,  he  brought  the  matter  at  once  to  the  attention  of  the 
Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  Secretarv  of  War. 


1907 


Extract  from  the   Minutes  of  the  Convention  of  the  Confederated   South 
ern    Memorial    Association    held    in    Richmond,   Va.,   June,    1907. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  resolution,  Mrs.  Behan  spoke  of  the  "His 
tory  of  the  Memorial  Associations  of  the  South,"  which,  she  said,  she 
would  like  to  recommend,  saying  that  "it  was  the  only  compendium  of 
the  work  of  the  Women  of  the  Confederacy,  '61-'65,  and  that  every  li 
brary  should  contain  a  copy."  Mrs.  Behan  stated  that  the  copies'  on 
hand  would  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  Jefferson  Davis  Monument,  to 
be  erected  in  New  Orleans,  and  that  the  cornerstone  of  said  monument 
would  be  laid  on  June  3,  1908.  She  also  said  that  there  was  another 
subject  which  she  would  like  to  bring  to  the  attention  of  the  Conven 
tion,  that  it  might  be  discussed  and  acted  upon  if  agreeable  to  the 
members,  and  said:  "Ladies,  it  is  this:  As  you  are  aware  there  is,  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  or  just  outside  of  the  city,  the  Washington  Aqueduct, 
known  as  'Cabin  John  Bridge.'  It  is  a  wonderful  piece  of  engineering 
skill,  and  was  constructed  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Davis  while  he 
was  Secretary  of  War — 1853-1857 — and  his  name  was  inscribed  on  the 
keystone  of  the  bridge.  In  1862,  his  name  was  ordered  cut  off  by  Hon. 
Caleb  B.  Smith,  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  under  the  administration  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States.  The  people  of  the 
South  look  upon  this  as  an  act  of  great  injustice  to  Mr.  Davis,  and 
think  the  name  should  be  restored. 

"It  seems  to  me  that  this  is  the  time  for  us  to  take  some  action  on 
this  matte'r,  with  the  hope  that  we  may  succeed  in  having  the  name  re 
stored  on  or  before  June  3,  1908." 

A  motion  was  then  offered  by  Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson,  delegate 
from  the  Confederate  Memorial  Literary  Society,  of  Richmond,  Va. : 

'I  move  that,  in  order  that  the  true  and  accurate  history  of  the 
construction  of  the  Washington  Aqueduct,  familiarly  known  as  "Cabin 
John  Bridge,'  may  be  preserved  to  posterity,  and  in  order  that  justice 
may  be  done  the  memory  of  Jefferson  Davis,  who,  as  Secretary  of  War, 
under  the  administration  of  Franklin  Pierce,  President  of  the  United 
States,  supervised  the  construction  of  this  most  inspiring  and  wonder 
ful  structure, 

"Be  it  resolved,  That  we,  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  As 
sociation,  in  convention  assembled,  in  the  City  of  Richmond,  Va.,  on 
this,  the  first  day  of  June,  1907,  do,  request  the  United  States  Govern 
ment  to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  the  place  on 
'Cabin  John  Bridge,  from  which  it  wa.s  removed  during  the  war." 

The  motion  was  seconded  by  Mrs.  Robert  Emory  Parke,  of  Georgia. 
It  was  then  open  for  discussion.  One  lady  thought  that  Jefferson  Davis 
and  his  cause  were  more  conspicuous  by  the  absence  of  his  name,  be 
cause  it  showed  the  petty  spite  of  those  who  had  ordered  it  cut  off.  The 
majority,  however,  were  in  favor  of  making  an  effort  to  have  the  name 
restored. 

Among  the  honored  guests1  were  Mrs.  J.  Addison  Hayes,  the  only  sur 
viving  daughter  of  Jefferson  Davis.  After  numerous  and  repeated  re 
quests  from  the  members  that  she  express  her  opinion  upon  the  ques 
tion,  she  very  modestly  and  with  great  feeling  said:  "My  father  con- 


9 

sidered  the  erasure  of  his  name  a  great  indignity,  and  felt  that  it  was 
done  with  a  view  of  eliminating  from  history  the  part  he  had  taken  in 
the  construction  oi'  the  bridge;  that  he  had  been  deeply  interested  in 
the  piece  of  engineering  and  had  given  it  his  closest  attention.  It  was 
his  wish,  and  also  the  wish  of  my  dear  mother,  that  the  name  should 
be  restored  in  justice  to  his  memory." 

Afternoon   Session. 

Convention  called  to  order. 

The  President  asked  Mrs.  Chieves,  the  Vice-President  of  Virginia, 
to  take  the  chair.  Mrs.  Behan  moved  that  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge" 
resolution  be  taken  from  the  table.  Motion  carried.  Mrs.  Behan  said 
that  she  felt  convinced  that  if  we  made  the  request  referred  to  in  tne 
motion,  that  we  would  be  successful;  that  this  was  an  era  of  peace; 
that  time,  with  its  healing  influence  had  softened  much  oi*  the  bitter 
feeling  that  existed  at  the  close  of  the  war;  that  sectional  prejudice  is 
fast  dying  out;  that  the  men  of  the  North  and  those  of  tlje  South  had 
stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  in  defence  of  our  common  country,  against  a 
foreign  foe;  that  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis1  is  more  prominently  before 
the  public  as1  time  rolls  on,  it  is  received  with  more  respectful  consid 
eration  by  the  people  of  the  North,  his  actions  are  judged  less  severely, 
and  we  have  every  reason  to  hope  that  this  request  will  be  granted.  A 
motion  was  then  made  that  we  amend  the  former  motion  by  adding  after 
"the  war,"  and,  "that  we  invite  the  United  Confederate  Veterans,  and 
all  other  Confederate  Associations  to  unite  with  the  Confederated 
Southern  Memorial  Association,  in  its  effort  to  have  this  patriotic  and 
historical  purpose  accomplished  on  or  before  June  3,  1908."  The  amend 
ment  was  carried,  and  the  motion,  as  amended,  was  then  read  by  the 
secretary,  seconded  by  Miss  M.  B.  Popenheim,  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and 
unanimously  carried. 

Recommended  that  the  Chair  appoint  a  committee  to  present  this 
matter  to  the  proper  official,  and  that  the  Confederate  organization  make 
an  effort  to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  on  the  "John 
Cabin  Bridge"  before  the  one-hundredth  anniversary  of  Mr.  Davis'  birth. 


RICHMOND,  VA..  June  18,  1907. 
MRS.  W.  J.   BEHAX,   Pres.  C.   S.  M.  A.,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Behan, — Your  letter  of  June  15,  1907,  inviting  me 
to  serve  on  your  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee  received. 

I    accept   with   pleasure,   esteeming   it   a   high   honor   to   serve   in 
such  capacity.  Yours  very  truly, 

VIRGINIA  MORGAN  ROBINSON. 
(Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson.) 


MOXTEAGLE,  TEXX.,  July  29,  1907. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAX: 

Your  letter  of  July  22nd,  forwarded  from  Greenwood  on  July  25th, 
reached  me  Saturday.  I  will  take  great  pleasure  in  doing  what  I 
can  toward  carrying  out  the  purpose  of  the  resolutions  you  en 
close.  *  *  *  I  shall  hold  myself  ready  to  do  my  part  of  any  work 
which  the  committee  shall  decide  on  as  furthering  our  object.  My 


10 

address,  until  August  8th,  will  be  here,  care  Mrs.  Carre,  and  I  will 
send  you  my  address  from  time  to  time  as  it  is  changed  until  I  re 
turn  to  Greenwood,  October  1st. 

With  the  friendliest  greetings,  I  am, 

Very  truly  your  friend, 

LIZZIE    GEORGE   HENDERSON, 

Prest.  Genl.,  U.  D.  C. 


GREENWOOD,  Miss.,  Dec.  10,  1907. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

I  am  just  remembering  that  I  hare  neglected  to  write  and  resign 
my  position  on  the  committee  for  getting  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  replaced  on  "Cabin  John  Bridge."  The  cause  of  resignation  of 
course  being  that  I  am  no  longer  Pres.-Genl.  U.  D.  C.  Wishing  you  a 
Merry  Christmas, 

Very  truly  your  friend, 

LIZZIE  GEORGE  HENDERSON. 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  1008  Park  Avenue,  September  9,  1907. 
MY  DEAR  fes.  BEHAN: 

I  am  just  home  from  my  summer  outing,  where  your  letter  was 
forwarded  me  and  it  became  misplaced,  which  must  be  my  excuse  for 
not  replying  before.     I  shall  be  most  happy  to  serve  on  the  committee 
for  the  restoration  of  Pres.  Davis'  name  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and 
trust  sincerely  that  our  united  efforts  may  be  of  some  avail. 
Hoping  you  have  been  well  since  I  saw  you  last,  I  am, 
Very    sincerely, 

SALLIE  P.  GRAY. 
(Mrs.   Alfred   Gray). 


GALVESTON,  TEXAS.  1421  Avenue  E,  January  3,  1908. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

Since  we  met,  the  Old  Year  with  its  joys  and  sorrows  has  past 
to  the  great  volume  of  departed  years,  and  the  "New"  has  dawned  with 
its  unwritten  treasury;  I  trust  that  it  will  pour  into  your  lap  only 
the  good  things  of  life,  thus  making  each  of  its  days  bright  for  you. 
Your  letter  came  on  thie  first  and  found  that  I  was  absent  in  Houston, 
where  I  had  been  called  to  the  burial  of  Mrs.  Abson  Jones,  the  widow 
of  the  last  President  of  the  Republic  of  Texas.  *  *  *  But  to  the 
subject  of  your  letter:  and  in  reply  I  will  say  that  it  is  a  privilege 
to  serve  on  the  committee  which  will  endeavor  to  have  Mr.  Davis' 
name  restored  to  "Cabin  John  Bridge,"  and  I  was  sorry  to  have  missed 


11 

the  discussion  of  that  matter  last  spring  during  the  meeting  of  the  Con 
federated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  in  Richmond.  Mrs.  Rosen 
berg  and  I  were  invited  out  to  luncheon  and  were  late  in  getting  back 
to  the  meeting,  when  we  found  that  it  had  been  brought  up  and  the 
resolution  passed  to  take  up  this  matter  and  try  to  bring  about  such 
restoration.  In  the  interest  of  truthful  history  this  should  be  done; 
and  in  any  way  that  I  can  assist  this  devoutly-wished  consummation 
I  am  at  your  service,  and  I  do  hope  that  this  may  be  accomplished  in 
this  centennial  year  of  President  Davis'  birth,  and  that  by  June  3d  it 
will  be  restored.  With  much  appreciation  of  your  appointment,  and 
many  thanks  for  your  good  wishes  and  gracious  words,  believe  me, 
Cordially  your  friend, 

CORNELIA  BRANCH   STONE. 


MBS.  WILLIAM  J.   BEHAX,   President  Confederated   Southern  Memorial 

Association: 

My  Dear  Madam. — It  will  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  serve  you 
upon  a  committee  to  secure  the  restoration  to  the  Washington  Aque 
duct  or  Cabin  John  Bridge  of  the  inscription  placed  upon  the  original 
structure  while  the  Hon.  Jefferson  Davis  was  Secretary  of  War. 

Since  the  inscription  was  obliterated  by  the  order  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior,  it  would  seem  it  could  be  replaced  by  the  Secretary 
of  War,  and  the  appeal  be  made  by  the  Congressman  of  Louisiana  and 
any  oth*er  appropriate  States.  Thanking  you  for  the  honor  conferred,  be 
lieve  me,  Yours  faithfully, 

NELLIE    HOTCHKISS    HOLMES. 

(Mrs.  Geo.  S.  Holmes), 
President  Jefferson  Davis  Monument  Association,  U.  D.  C. 

[When  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer  visited  the  Cabin  John  Bridge,  in  June,  1907, 
to  examine  the  Tablet  for  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Associa 
tion,  he  had  a  photograph  taken  of  it,  that  aroused  speculation,  as  to 
his  object.  The  newspapers  announced  that  he  represented  the  United 
Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  and  the  Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial 
Association.  And  this  was  repeated  in  the  press  for  months  thereafter. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  the  error  was  inadvertent,  as  there  are  so  many 
Confederate  organizations  with  very  similar  names.  Furthermore  the 
United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  are  more  generally  known  than 
the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  of  New  Orleans.  In 
1907  two  policie?  were'  decided  on,  in  promoting  the  Restoration,  by  Gen. 
Stephen  D.  Lee,  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  and  Mrs.  J.  Enders 
Robinson.  First,  to  have  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  restored  by  commis 
sion  of  the  War  Department,  avoiding  legislation  in  Congress,  and 
second,  to  discourage  all  newspaper  mention  of  the  work,  until  Mr.  Meyer 
could  mature  his  plans.  Owing  to  this  latter  policy,  no  public  protest 
was  made  by  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  against 
the  credit  given  the  United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  and  Con- 


12 

federate  Ladies  Memorial  Association,  for  the  move.  The  Confederated 
Southern  Memorial  Association  is  composed  of  seventy  Confederate 
Memorial  Associations. 

The  official  correspondence  in  this  pamphlet,  setting  forth  an  organ 
ized,  continuous  effort,  gives  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation  a  clear  title  to  the  honor  of  having  persuaded  the  United  States 
Government,  to  accomplish  the  restoration.  With  reference  to  the  er 
ror,  by  the  press,  substituting  the  "United  Daughters  of  the  Confed 
eracy,"  and  "Confederate  Ladies  Memorial  Association,"  for  the  "Con 
federated  Southern  Memorial  Association,"  see  letters  of  July  3,  1907, 
from  Mrs.  Behan  to  Mr.  Meyer,  and  of  July  8,  1907,  from  Mrs1.  Robinson 
to  Mrs.  Behan. — Editor's  note.] 


THE   DAILY  PICAYUNE. 

New  Orleans,   La. 

Published    by   the    Nicholson    Publishing    Company,    Limited. 
Friday    Morning,   July  5,   1907. 


JEFFERSON  DAVIS  AND  CABIN  JOHN   BRIDGE. 

On  yesterday,  which  was  the  glorious  "Fourth,"  the  birth 
day  of  this  great  nation,  much  was  said  in  print  about  a  united 
country  after  a  terrible  and  tremendous  sectional  war  and 
about  the  love  and  loyalty  of  the  South  to  the  Union. 

That  is  as  it  should  be,  but,  nevertheless,  there  remains  re 
corded  against  the  North  an  act  which  was  at  the  time  wholly 
a  wanton  and  unwarranted  and  pitiful  and  childish  attempt 
to  insult  the  Southern  people,  and  today,  when  the  story  is 
told,  it  shows  up  in  the  light  of  a  re-united  country  as  some 
thing  so  contemptible  that  the  brave  and  honorable  people  of 
the  North  should  never  rest  until  the  wrong  is  righted  and  the 
shame  of  it  effaced  from  the  stone  tablet  in  which  it  appears. 

The  story  briefly  is  this:  Under  President  Pierce's  admin 
istration  as  Chief  Magistrate  of  this  great  Republic  an  elabo 
rate  system  of  works  was  constructed  for  the  purpose  of  sup 
plying  the  National  Capital  with  water.  The  construction  was 
done  under  the  direction  of  the  United  States  Army  engineers, 
Jefferson  Davis  being  the  Secretary  of  War. 

In  the  course  of  the  work  water  was  brought  in  a  magnificent 
stone  acqueduct  over  Cabin  John  Creek,  which  flows  into  the  Po 
tomac  on  the  Maryland  side,  not  far  from  Washington.  The 
crossing  of  the  creek  is  made  on  a  lofty  stone  arch  of  wide 
span,  and  as  this  structure  is  very  conspicuous  as  an  engineer 
ing  feat,  an  inscription  on  the  keystone  of  the  arch  announced 
that  the  work  was  completed  by  the  Army  engineers  under  the 
Administration  of  President  Pierce,  Jefferson  Davis  being  Sec 
retary  of  War. 

After  the  secession  of  the  South  and  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
between  the  States,  Mr.  Davis  having  become  the  President  of 
the  Southern  Confederacy,  was  treated  to  much  rituperation 
by  ignorant  or  foolishly  prejudiced  persons  in  the  North,  and 
under  some  such  pressure,  the  Washington  water  works  being 


13 


then  under  the  control  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  Sec 
retary  Caleb  B.  Smith,  who  presided  over  that  branch  of  the 
Government  for  the  first  three  years  of  President's  Lincoln's 
first  term,  had  Davis'  name  chiseled  out  of  the  inscription  on 
the  Cabin  John  Bridge,  the  mutilated  remains'  standing  there 
to  testify  to  the  contemptible  outrage  that  had  been  perpetrated. 

There  has  been  some  confusion  caused  by  the  statement  that 
the  mutilation  was  due  in  obedience  to  an  act  of  Congress, 
and  that,  therefore,  another  act  would  be  required  to  restore 
the  inscription.  This  idea  is  entirely  erroneous,  and,  as  the 
mutilation  was  a  mere  official  act,  it  can  be  undone  by  official 
order. 

During  the  recent  Confederate  Reunion  at  Richmond  the  sub 
ject  was  brought  up  in  a  meeting  of  the  Confederate  Ladies' 
Memorial  Association,  and  at  the  request  of  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Behan,  of  New  Orleans,  Congressman  Adolph  Meyer,  of  Louis 
iana,  had  photographs  of  the  bridge  and  of  the  mutilated  in 
scription  taken,  and  they  will  be  used  in  a  memorial  which  is1 
to  be  sent  to  the  President,  asking  that  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis 
be  restored  to  the  place  it  occupied. 

The  Southern  Ladies  have  been  very  active  and  devoted  in 
their  efforts  to  secure  this  result,  but  there  are  people  in  the 
North  who  recognize  that  it  would  only  be  an  act  of  justice 
to  repair  the  useless  and  puerile  but  serious  wrong  that  has 
been  done,  and  in  this  connection  the  Picayune  prints  the  fol 
lowing: 

Bridgeport,  Conn,  June  15,  1907, 
To  the  President:  — 

Ten  years  ago,  when  you  were  ac 
complishing  some  things  in  the  City  of  New  York  that 
other  people  said  could  never  be  done,  it  was  my  privi 
lege,  as  General  Manager  of  The  United  Press,  to  re 
port  progress  to  the  country.  This  explains  why  I  think 
there  is  one  other  thing  you  can  do,  which  no  one  yet 
has  ever  succeeded  in  accomplishing. 

I  believe  that  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  which  was 
removed  from  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  in  the  early  days 
of  the  war  between  the  States,  by  some  fanatic  such 
as  he  who  fired  the  Ephesian  dome,  should  be  restored. 
When  I  have  visited  Miss  Barton  at  Glen  Echo,  in  pre 
vious  years,  on  Red  Cross1  business,  I  have  usually  gone 
up  to  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and  I  have  never  heard  but  the 
one  opinion  as  to  the  mutilation  of  the  structure  in  the 
interest  of  what  somebody  evidently  conceived  to  be 
the  sacred  name  of  patriotism.  But  the  question  of  pa 
triotism  was  not  involved.  It  was  simply  a  silly  pro 
ceeding,  and  it  has  been  more  generally  condemned  by 
northern  people  than  by  our  southern  cousins. 

In  Mr.  Kipling's  charming  story,  "An  Error  in  the 
Fourth  Dimension,"  when  all  the  explanations  had  been 
made  as  to  why  the  special  train  was  flagged,  and  ap 
parently  all  had  been  said  that  was  necessary  to  ac 
count  for  the  unpredecented  liberty  that  had  been  taken, 


14 


one  of  the  members  of  the  Committee  chosen  to  in 
vestigate  why  an  American  should  thus  establish  a  most 
dangerous  precedent,  let  go  this  Parthian  arrow:  "He 
offered  to  buy  the  road,  you  know,  and  it  isn't  for 
sale.  And  then,  by  George,  it  was  the  Induna  that  he 
iiagged."  Whatever  estimate  may  be  placed  on  Jeffer 
son  Davis  by  those  who  study  his  life,  mistakes, 
achievements,  and  what  not,  from  differing  points  of 
view,  it  comes  down  to  this,  that  "It  was  the  Induna." 
He  was  the  Secretary  of  tWar  when  Cabin  John  Bridge 
was  built,  and  whether  posterity  accepts  him  as  a  pa 
triot  or  a  traitor,  and  in  despite  of  any  differences  of 
opinion  that  may  have  existed  in  the  minds  of  his  con 
temporaries',  or  that  may  leave  that  question  unde 
cided  even  unto  days  like  these,  there  can  be  no  dis 
pute  as  to  what  relation  he  bore  to  the  erection  of  a  no 
ble  structure,  which  has  been  made  doubly  famous  by 
the  erasure  of  his  name. 

May  we  not  indulge  the  hope  that  you  will  do  what 
you  can  to  set  the  machinery  in  motion  to  put  this 
ridiculous  matter  right.  Very  truly  yours, 

WALTER  P.  PHILLIPS. 

The  boasts  made  so  freely,  both  North  and  South,  that  ours 
is  a  firmly  united  country  and  that  sectional  barriers  have  all 
been  broken  and  burned  away,  should  make  it  imperative  that 
the  offensive  slur  on  the  South  so  conspicuously  near  to  the 
Capital  of  the  United  Nation  should  be  removed.  Surely  the 
time  has  come  for  this. 

["Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association"  should  read 
"Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association." — Editor's  note.] 

[The  Picayune  Bureau.] 

Post  Building, 

Washington,  D.   C.,  June  29,   1907. 

A  request  that  the  National  Government  again  resume  work 
on  the  Mississippi  River  along  the  water  front  of  the  city  of 
New  Orleans  was  made  to  Secretary  Taft  to-day  by  Repre 
sentative  Meyer,  of  Louisiana,  acting  in  behalf  of  the  Mayor 
and  the  City  Council  of  New  Orleans.  For  a  time  this  work  has 
been  discontinued  by  the  National  Government  while  permis 
sion  was  granted  to  the  Orleans  Levee  Board  to  construct  cer 
tain  bank  protective  work  at  its  own  cost.  For  various  rea 
sons  the  Board  is  anxious  that  the  War  Department  again  take 
up  the  work.  Mr.  Meyer  urged  on  the  Secretary  the  impor 
tance  of  the  matter,  and  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  the 
Mississippi  River  Commission  has  a  fund  available  from  which 
money  might  be  taken  to  pay  for  preliminary  surveys  toward 
any  improvement  which  may  be  inaugurated. 

Jefferson   Davis'   Name. 

Representative  Adolph  Meyer,  of  Louisiana,  to-day  an 
nounced  his  intention  of  making  an  effort  to  have  the  name 
of  Jefferson  Davis  reinscribed  on  the  bridge  which  spans  Cabin 
John  Creek,  about  six  miles  above  Washington.  Construction 


15 

of  the  bridge  was  started  at  the  time  that  Mr.  Davis  was  Sec 
retary  of  War,  and  on  its  completion  his1  name  and  those  of  a 
number  of  others  who  were  identified  with  the  work  were  chis 
eled  on  the  surface.  Mr.  Davis'  name  was  erased  during  Presi 
dent  Lincoln's  first  administration  by  direction  of  Caleb  Smith, 
then  Secretary  of  the  Interior.  At  their  recent  Convention  in 
Richmond  the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  adopted  a  resolu 
tion  asking  for  the  restoration  of  Mr.  Davis'  name,  and  respon 
sive  to  this  Mr.  Meyer  will  take  active  steps  to  have  it  brought 
about.  Whether  he  will  do  this  through  the  War  Department 
or  seek  congressional  sanction  he  has  not  determined. 

["United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy"  should  read  "Confed 
erated    Southern    Memorial    Association." — Editor's1  note.] 


[Washington  Post,  June  30,  1907.] 

VANDAL'S  DEED  ANGERS. 
Jefferson    Davis'    Name    Wanted    on    Cabin   John    Bridge. 

MOVEMENT  BECOMES  GENERAL. 

Societies  and  Individuals,  North  and  South,  Join  in  Effort  to  Re 
pair  Injustice  to  Franklin  Pierce's  Secretary  of  War — Repre 
sentative  Meyer  Discusses  Matter  with  Head  of  Department. 

The  names  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Jefferson  Davis,  both 
Presidents  during  the  Civil  War,  will  s"oon  be  graved  upon  the 
same  tablet,  if  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  or  some 
other  authority  heeds  the  earnest  behest  of  the  United  Daughters 
of  the  Confederacy,  which  has  just  come  from  their  recent  ses 
sion  at  Richmond. 

The  daughters  make  the  plea  that  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis, 
which  was  erased  by  vandals,  be  restored  to  its  place  of  honor. 
The  name  of  Jefferson  Davis,  who  was1  Secretary  of  War  at  the 
time  the  erection  of  the  great  aqueduct  span  was  begun,  form 
erly  stood  above  that  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  was  President  at 
the  time  of  its  completion. 

For  many  years  a  blank  space  has  occupied  the  place  of  honor, 
where  at  one  time  stood  the  name  of  the  President  of  the  Con 
federacy.  It  is  claimed  that  Mr.  Davis  should  be  given  the 
honor  which,  as  former  Secretary  of  War,  he  deserves.  It  is 
urged,  therefore,  that  his  name  be  placed  once  more  in  close 
proximity  to  that  of  the  leader  who  overthrew  the  Confederacy 
which  Mr.  Davis  headed. 

Davis  Proud  of  Work. 

As  Secretary  of  War  in  charge  of  the  corps  of  engineers  that 
constructed  the  big  aqueduct  bridge,  at  the  time  of  its  con 
struction  the  longest  single  arch  span  in  the  world,  and  even  to 
this  day  surpassed  by  only  two  bridges,  Mr.  Davis  was  deeply 
interested  in  the  work  and  very  proud  of  the  American  engineer 
ing  genius  which  created  it.  He  was  inspired  by  a  common 
patriotism  in  the  high  respect  which  he  felt  for  the  men  under 
him,  who  had  shown  themselves  superior  to  the  engineers  of 
foreign  countries. 

It  is  claimed,  therefore,  that  the  name  of  the  builder  he  re- 
carved  upon  this  noble  stone  structure  which  rose  under  his 
supervision  to  its  majestic  might.  It  is  "a  thing  of  beauty,"  and 


16 


surely  the  man  who,  with  feelings  of  patriotic  pride  in  the 
magic  might  of  his  fellow-countrymen,  watched  the  graceful- 
span  of  arched  beauty  rise  from  the  lowly  stream  that  flows  be 
neath  it  toward  the  skies  richly  deserves  to  have  it  bear  his 
name.  Let  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  be  restored  to  its  right 
ful  place,  say  his  admirers. 

A  number  of  Southern  societies',  other  than  the  Daughters  of 
the  Confederacy,  and  many  individuals,  some  of  them  Northern 
ers,  are  taking  an  interest  in  the  effort  to  have  the  blank  space 
on  the  stone  tablet  refilled. 

Representative  Meyer  Helps. 

At  the  request  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  of  New  Orleans,  presi 
dent  of  the  United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy,  Representa 
tive  Meyer,  of  Louisiana,  is  starting  a  campaign  with  the 
powers  that  be  in  Washington  to  have  this  growing  request  of 
Southerners1  and  Northerners,  who  are  fast  forgetting  all  differ 
ences,  granted. 

Mr.  Meyer  talked  over  the  matter  informally  with  Secretary 
Taft  during  a  visit  to  the  War  Department  yesterday,  but  no 
action  was  taken.  If  Congressional  action  is  found  to  be  neces 
sary,  the  question  will  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  next 
Congress. 

[United  Daughters'  of  the  Confederacy  should  read  "Con 
federated  Southern  Memorial  Association." — Editor's  note.] 


CONFEDERATED    SOUTHERN   MEMORIAL   ASSOCIATION. 

NEW  ORLEANS   LA.,   July   3,   1907. 
MY  DEAR  GENERAL  MEYER: 

I  see  by  the  papers  you  have  announced  your  intention  to  act 
upon  our  resolution  in  regard  to  restoring  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  on  Cabin  John  Bridge.  This  is  fine,  but  you  will  excuse  me  for 
calling  your  attention  to  a  very  important  fact,  and  that  is,  that  the 
resolution  was  passed  by  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation  at  the  convention  held  in  Richmond,  May  30,-June  1,  1907,  and 
not  by  the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy,  as  stated  in  the  item  pub 
lished  in  the  Washington-Post,  Baltimore  Sun,  Times-Democrat,  and  the 
Daily  Picayune.  Please  fix  this  point  well  in  your  mind:  the  Con 
federated  Southern  Memorial  Association  and  the  Daughters  of  the 
Confederacy  are  two  distinct  organizations.  The  former  is  composed 
of  the  women  of  the  Confederacy,  to  whom  Jefferson  Davis  dedicated 
his  great  work,  "The  Rise  and  Fall  of  the  Confederate  Government"; 
to  the  latter  belong  the  younger  element,  with  a  few  of  the  older  women 
who  have  outlived  the  Memorial  Associations  in  their  cities.  You 
and  your  colleagues  in  Congress  will  remember  the  efforts  of  the 
Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  to  obtain  the  favorable 
passage  of  the  Foraker  Bill,  and  we  hope  to  meet  with  the  same 


ADOLPH  MEYER, 

Member  of  Congress  from  Louisiana,  and  accredited  representative 

from  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association 

to  the  United  States  Government. 


17 

success  in  this  movement,  and  secure  from  our  Government,  (the  best 
on  earth)  the  justice  due  a  man  who  followed  the  dictates  of  his 
conscience  in  the  performance  of  duty  as  it  was  given  him  to  see 
it.  In  a  few  days  I  will  send  to  your  address  a  copy  of  the  History 
of  the  Memorial  Associations  of  the  South,  with  certain  passages 
marked  for  special  consideration,  and  as  a  help  in  carrying  on  the 
proposed  legislation,  whether  you  conclude  to  work  it  through  the 
Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  Interior,  or  by  Congressional  ac 
tion.  Please  let  me  know  in  what  way  I  may  assist  you,  in  addition 
to  furnishing  you  with  all  data  relating  to  the  subject. 

On  my  return  from  Biloxi,  last  Saturday,  I  met  Hon. — Bowers,  of 
Mississippi,  and  talked  to  him  on  the  subject.  He  seemed  to  think 
that  it  was  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  ask  for  its  restoration; 
that  Mr.  Davis  was  such  a  great  man  that  he  would  outlive  this  petty 
piece  of  spite,  etc.  I  differed  with  him,  and  thought  that  it  was  a 
great  injustice  to  have  removed  his  name,  and  that  a  Government  as 
great  as  ours  could  not  afford  to  go  down  in  history  as  being  guilty 
of  such  a  petty  piece  of  spite.  I  told  him  that  the  matter  had  been 
placed  in  your  hands  and  that  any  assistance  that  he  would  give  you 
would  be  appreciated.  *  *  *  If  you  rememebr,  it  was  not  until  his 
sovereign  state  seceded,  that  Mr.  Davis  resigned  his  seat  in  the 
United  States  Senate  and  made  his  farewell  address,  which  was  an 
ardent  and  eloquent  appeal  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  I  feel 
that  you  will  succeed. 

It  cannot  be  that  the  American  people  will  deny  this  request,  in 
justice  to  the  memory  of  the  man  who  served  his  country  so  faith 
fully  and  who  was  recognized  as  the  most  efficient  Secretary  of  War 
that  this  country  has  ever  had.  *  *  * 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
President  C.  S.  M.  A. 

P.    S.— The    Richmond    Times-Dispatch    of    July    1,    1907,    has    an 
iitorial  entitled,   "Jefferson  Davis  and  the  Cabin  "  John  Bridge"     In 
article  the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  were  credited  with  of- 
srmg  the  resolution,  and  I  wrote  immediately  to  the  editor,  enclosing 
the  article,  and  asked  to  have  it  corrected.     The  Vicksburg  American 
f  June  21,   1907,  had  an  article  on  the  same  subject.     So  the  work 
has  commenced.  God  grant  you  success. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

K.  W.  BEHAX. 


18 

[Taken  from  the  Democrat  Chronicle,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  July  8,  1907.] 
RESTORING  THE   NAME   OF  JEFFERSON    DAVIS. 

The  Civil  War  closed  nearly  half  a  century  ago,  yet  some  of 
the  Southern  people  are  still  engaged  in  keeping  alive  the  memo 
ries  of  that  unhappy  conflict  and  find  their  chief  pleasure,  ap 
parently,  in  digging  up  incidents  that  might  better  be  forgotten. 
Just  now  this  unreconciled  element  is  occupied  in  an  attempt 
to  restore  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  as  the  chief  martyr  of 
the  Confederacy.  The  bitterness  felt  in  the  North  toward  the 
president  of  the  seceding  States  has  in  a  measure  died  out,  but 
the  North  will  never  place  him  on  a  pedestal  alongside  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  any  attempt  to  elevate  him  to  such  a  position  will 
only  provoke  controversy. 

The  wrong  which  the  admirers  of  Mr.  Davis  now  seek  to  have 
righted  has  to  do  with  the  aqueduct  over  Cabin  John  Creek,  a 
stream  which  flows  into  the  Potomac  on  the  Maryland  side,  near 
Washington.  This  aqueduct  was  erected,  while  President  Pierce 
was  in  office  as  a  part  of  the  waterworks  system  of  Washing 
ton.  Jefferson  Davis  was*  Secretary  of  War  at  the  time,  and  as 
the  work  was  done  by  army  engineers  his  name  was  inscribed 
on  the  keystone.  The  structure  is  conspicuous,  and  the  name 
of  Mr.  Davis  was  a  conspicuous  object  on  the  keystone. 

After  the  war  broke  out  and  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  was  being 
execrated  throughout  the  loyal  sections  of  the  country,  atten 
tion  was  attracted  to  the  inscription  on  the  keystone  of  the 
Cabin  John  aqueduct.  It  irritated  somebody  in  authority,  and 
by  direction  of  Caleb  B.  Smith,  Secretary  of  the  Interior  for 
three  years  under  President  Lincoln,  who  was  then  in  charge 
of  the  waterworks,  the  name  was  chiseled  out  of  the  keystone 
and  the  keystone  remains  in  that  condition  to-day. 

It  is  probable  that  few  people  now  living  in  the  North  ever 
heard  of  the  matter,  or  ever  would  have  heard  of  it  had  it  not 
been  for  the  activity  of  the  Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  As 
sociation,  which  had  photographs  taken  of  the  mutilated  key 
stone  and  circulated  at  the  recent  Confederate  Reunion  at  Rich 
mond,  for  the  purpose  of  arousing  interest  in  the  matter  and 
securing  signatures  to  a  memorial  to  be  sent  to  President  Roose 
velt  asking  that  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  be  restored. 

If  the  name  had  never  been  removed  from  the  aqueduct  it 
would  be  impossible  to  create  any  sentiment  in  the  North  to 
day  against  its  remaining  there.  Mr.  Davis  is  dead,  and  the 
cause  for  which  he  stood  is  dead,  and  nobody  desires  to  re 
kindle  old  animosities.  But  if  restoring  his  name  is  to  be  re 
garded  as  an  act  of  tardy  justice  to  the  memory  of  the  leader 
of  the  Confederacy  and  a  confession  that  the  government  com 
mitted  a  wrong  in  removing  it,  then  the  North  has  abundant 
cause  to  interpose  objections.  A  revival  of  the  incident  at  this 
late  day  does  not  serve  any  good  purpose. 

["Confederate   Ladies    Memorial   Association"   should   read   "Con 
federated   Southern    Memorial   Association." — Editor's   note.] 


ANSWER  TO  THE  ARTICLE  IX   THE  DEMOCRAT  CHRONICLE,  OF  ROCHESTER,    N.   Y. 

In  answer  to  the  article  in  the  Democrat  Chronicle,  of  Rochester, 
dated  July  8,  1907,  I  wish  to  say:  That  in  offering  the  resolution  to 
have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  "Cabin  John  Bridge", 
the  members  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  had 
no  intention  nor  desire  to  open  up  old  animosities;  on  the  con 
trary,  we  hope,  by  our  act  to  cover  up  old  animosities;  to  heal 
the  breach  made  by  the  act  of  one  man,  whose  outrageous  blunder 
is  now  charged  to  the  American  nation.  We  are  too  great  as  a  peo 
ple  to  permit  such  an  act  of  injustice  to  stand  against  a  man  who 
served  his  country  as  a  gallant  soldier  and  as  an  able  official.  This 
wonderful  and  important  piece  of  engineering  skill  was  engineered  and 
constructed  during  the  time  that  Mr.  Davis  served  as  Secretary  of 
War  (and  no  more  efficient  officer  has  ever  filled  the  office) ;  for  this 
reason  we  ask  that  in  the  name  of  justice, and  for  the  truth  of  history 
that  the  name  be  restored.  We  do  not  ask  that  the  name  be  restored 
to  do  honor  to  the  memory  of  Jefferson  Davis,  the  leader  of  the 
Confederacy;  but  to  do  honor  to  the  memory  of  Jefferson  Davis,  Sec 
retary  of  War  1853  to  1857;  and  in  making  this  request  we  have  the 
endorsement  and  support  of  all  right-minded,  fair  and  honest  people 
of  the  North.  There  may  be  a  few  who  wish  to  keep  up  some  agitation. 
To  all  such  I  will  say,  so  far  as  the  South  is  concerned  the  war  is  a 
thing  of  the  past.  The  surrender  at  Appomattox  was  the  final  decree, 
and  the  men  of  the  South  at  once  began  to  rebuild  their  fortunes  and 
to  re-unite  the  country.  The  men  of  the  South  joined  hands  with 
the  men  of  the  North  in  defense  of  this  our  re-united  country,  and 
to-day  we  stand  together,  under  the  same  flag,  and  our  motto  is 
E  Pluribus  Unum.  As  a  great  nation,  we  stand  for  truth  and  justice. 
In  the  history  of  the  United  States  we  read  of  the  magnificent  vic 
tory  obtained  by  the  United  States  troops  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Davis,  in  the  Black  Hawk  War;  and  later  in  the  Mexican 
War,  as  commander  of  the  First  Mississippi  Rifles  Col.  Davis  gained 
signal  victories  at  the  storming  of  Monterey  and  at  the  battle  of 
Buena  Vista.  Would  our  friend  of  the  Democrat  Chronicle,  of 
Rochester,  eliminate  this  brilliant  record  from  our  school  histories, 
for  the  reason  that  Jefferson  Davis  was  the  hero?  No.  certainly  not. 
Then  why  should  he  object  to  the  restoration  cf  his  name  to  a  structure 
engineered  under  his  term  of  office  as  Secretary  of  War?  I  beg  to 
include  in  this  argument  a  copy  of  a  speech  made  by  Mr.  Davis,  when 
the  "Liberty  Bell"  was  sent  to  New  Orleans  for  the  Exposition  in  1885, 
and  I  will  close  by  quoting  from  the  memorable  speech  of  Hon.  Abraham 
Lincoln:  and  recommend  that  they  be  put  into  practice  by  one  and  all. 
With  malice  to  none,  and  charity  to  all, 

MRS.   W.   J.    BEHAN, 
President   C.   8.  M.  A. 


20 

RICHMOND,  VA.,  113  3d  St.   South,  July  S,  1907. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BKIIAX,  Pres.  C.  S.  M.  A.: 

Mil  Dear  Mrs.  Behan, — I  am  very  glad  that  you  read  the  unfortun 
ate  editorial  in  the -Times-Dispatch,  of  this  city.  I  am  at  a  loss  to 
know  why  this  newspaper  should  give  the  credit  of  the  movement  to 
restore  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  to  the 
United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy.  It  seems  to  me  a  wise  plan 
would  be,  to  drop  the  matter  now.  Later,  when  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer 
is  prepared  for  the  work,  he  will  of  course  issue  printed  statements 
of  the  facts.  But  the  error  is  so  very  remarkable!  Please  let  me 
know  how  and  when  Mr.  Meyer  will  distribute  the  photographs  of 
the  inscription. 

I  appointed  one  of  my  brothers  to  go  and  see  the  condition  of 
the  tablet  on  C.  J.  B.,  and  he  made  an  outline  copy  in  pen  and  ink 
for  me  of  the  tablet.  ,  Yours  truly, 

MRS.  J.   ENDERS  ROBINSON. 


[Letter  of  Captain  S.  E.   Morgan,  with  the  pen-and-ink  copy  for  the 
Virginia  Committee, — Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson.] 

June  28,  1907. 
DEAR  VIRGINIA: 

I  went  up  to  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  (Aqueduct)  and  made  a 
literal  transcript  of  the  inscription  on  the  tablet.  The  above  is  an 
exact  copy, — the  words  on  each  line  being  exactly  as  written.  The 
space  to  which  the  hand  points  marked  thus  is  where  the 

name  of  Jefferson  Davis  was  inscribed  and  subsequently  erased.  It 
is  entirely  obliterated.  You  will  observe  there  is  not  a  punctuation 
mark  of  the  tablet. 

A  casual  observer,  not  knowing  the  facts  in  the  case,  would  be 
perplexed  to  know  whether  Franklin  Pierce  was  President  or  Sec 
retary  of  War.  It  would  take  a  shrewd  one  to  translate  into  plain 
English  what  is  left  of  the  fourth  line — "Building  A.  D.  1861".  Upon 
the  whole,  it  may  be  considered  a  queer  inscription,  utterly  unworthy 
to  have  Mr.  Davis's  name  upon  it.  The  most  charitable  conclusion  is. 
that  the  inscription  was  composed  by  some  one  whose  wits  were  not 
in  working  order.  As  to  the  erasure  of  Mr.  Davis'  name,  I  would 
say,  "The  greatest  Government  the  world  ever  saw"  (not  my  words) 
then  and  there,  actuated  by  the  meanest  spirit  that  ever  influenced 
human  heart,  stooped  to  do  the  littlest  act  recorded  in  the  "annals 
of  time."  Your  affectionate  brother, 

S.  E.  MORGAN. 

[The  blank  space  in  the  tablet  is  now  so  well  known  it  is  unneces 
sary  to  give  the  "literal  copy"  made  by  Capt.  Morgan. — Ed.'s  note.] 


[Charleston  News  and  Courier,  July  20,  1907.] 

SOME  TRUTHS  OF  HISTORY. 

The  name  at  Cabin  John  Bridge. — A  Great  South  Carolina  Paper 
Advises  That   No  Change   Be   Made. 

When  Jefferson  Davis  was  Secretary  of  War  of  the  United 
States — and  it  is  generally  admitted  that  the  United  States  have 
never  had  a  more  competent  man  in  that  office — an  aqueduct 
was  built  over  Cabin  John  Creek  as  a  part  of  the  waterworks 
system  of  the  City  of  Washington.  The  work  was  done  by 
army  engineers  under  his  direction,  and  the  names  of  those  who 
were  in  authority  at  the*  time  were  inscribed  on  the  keystone 
of  the  arch  spanning  the  stream.  When  Caleb  Smith  was  Sec 
retary  of  the  Interior  under  Abraham  Lincoln,  he  ordered  that 
the  name  of  Mr.  Davis,  which  had  been  chiseled  into  the  stone, 
should  be  cut  out,  and  it  was  done.  If  Caleb  Smith  ever  did 
anything  else  during  his  term  of  office,  we  do  not  know  it;  but 
at  the  time,  we  have  no  doubt  that  he  was  much  trumpeted 
for  this  mark  of  his  loyalty  to  the  cause  of  the  Union.  For 
more  than  forty  years*  there  has  been  a  blank  space  in  the 
keystone  of  Cabin  John  Bridge.  Every  visitor  to  the  place  has 
asked  whose  name  had  been  cut  out  of  the  stone;  nobody  has 
asked  who  cut  it  out,  so  that  it  has  come  to  pass  that  Caleb 
Smith  has  been  forgotten  and  that  Jefferson  Davis  lives  on. 
This  is  exactly  as  we  would  have  it  and  as  it  ought  to  be. 

The  Confederate  Ladies  Memorial  Association,  we  are  told, 
had  photographs  distributed  at  the  recent  great  rally  of  Con 
federate  Veterans  in  Richmond,  showing  how  the  mutilated 
keystone  at  Cabin  John  Bridge  looks',  and  obtained  a  number 
of  signatures  to  a  memorial  praying  President  Roosevelt  to 
have  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  restored.  The  photographs  aim 
memorial  are  well  enough  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  in 
cident  fresh  in  the  public  mind;  but  it  is  hoped  that  the  me 
morial  will  not  be  sent  to  Mr.  Roosevelt,  and  that  he  will  not 
regard  it  if  it  shall  be  sent  to  him.  It  is  far  better  as  it  is. 
It  will  attract  more  attention,  it  will  make  every  visitor  to  the 
spot  think  of  Mr.  Davis,  and  of  his  cause;  the  very  absence 
of  his1  name  from  the  keystone  will  attest  his  loyalty  to  his 
people  and  to  the  principles  upon  which  the  American  Repub 
lic  was  founded.  The  mutilated  keystone  will  attest  at  the 
same  time  the  bitter  hate,  the  narrow  conceptions  of  patriotic 
duty  of  those  who  were  arrayed  against  UP  in  the  great  struggle, 
now  nearly  half  a  century  ago.  We  would  not  have  this  act  of 
vandalism  covered  up.  this  evidence  of  the  old-time  animosi 
ties  forgotten.  It  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for 
instruction  in  righteousness. 

We  are  told  by  the  Rochester  Democrat  and  Chronicle  that 
"it  is  probable  few  people  now  living  in  the  North  ever  heard 
of  the  matter,  or  ever  would  have  heard  it  had  it  not  been  for 
the  activity  of  the  Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association," 
and  that  is  precisely  where  we  would  have  the  Association 
leave  the  matter.  We  want  the  people  of  the  North,  all  the 
people  of  the  North,  to  hear  about  it  and  if  the  "activity"  of 
the  Association  does  nothing  more  than  this  their  purpose  will 


22 

have  been  accomplished.  We  are  told  that  "if  the  name  had 
never  been  removed  from  the  aqueduct  it  would  be  impossible 
to  create  any  sentiment  in  the  North  to-day  against  its  remain 
ing  there."  That  is  the  very  reason  why  we  would  not  have  it 
restored.  Let  it  stand  as  it  is.  It  is  worth  more  to  the  coun 
try  as  it  stands. 

Our  Rochester  contemporary,  which  is  disposed  to  play  the 
Caleb  Smith  act,  even  at  this  late  day,  remarks:  "Mr.  Davis  is 
dead,  and  the  cause  for  which  he  stood  is  dead."  It  is  true 
that  Mr.  Davis  no  longer  exists  in  the  flesh — the  wonder  is  that 
he  did  not  die  when  he  was  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Fortress  Mon 
roe,  under  the  care  of  Nelson  A.  Miles — but  his1  spirit  survives, 
and  there  is  a«  better  understanding  of  him  now  and  a  juster 
appreciation  of  his  conduct  than  at  any  previous  time  for  half 
a  century.  His  appeal  to  the  verdict  of  history  for  himself 
and  his  cause  was  not  in  vain.  Time  sets  all  things  straight, 
and  the  mutilated  stone  in  Cabin  John  Bridge  is  a  mute  but 
trustworthy  witness  for  him  and  his  people  and  their  desire  to 
be  relieved  from  political  associations  which  had  become  on 
many  accounts*  undesirable.  Mr.  Davis  is  dead;  but  the  cause 
for  which  he  stood — the  rights  of  the  States,  the  sovereignty 
of  the  people,  the  supremacy  of  the  Constitution — will  never  die. 

This  is  not  a  question  of  rekindling  "old  animosities,"  as  our 
contemporary  suggests.  The  people  of  the  South  did  not  mu 
tilate  the  keystone  at  Cabin  John  Bridge,  they  have  not  ques 
tioned  the  honesty  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and  his  purposes,  they 
have  not  cut  his  name  out  of  the  books  taught  in  the  Southern 
schpols,  they  have  not  sought  to  cover  up  the  fact  that  he  was 
born  in  the  South,  they  have  heard  with  applause  eulogies  pro 
nounced  upon  him  by  both  Southern  and  Northern  orators,  they 
would  not  object  to  statues  erected  in  his  honor  on  Southern 
soil,  and  they  believe  that  if  he  were  living  to-day  he  would 
stand  with  the  people  of  Jefferson  Davis  in  their  resistance  to 
the  establishment  of  a  centralized  government  at  Washington 
in  the  place  of  the  Union  of  the  States,  which  he  declared  it 
to  be  his  purpose  to  preserve. 

When  Mrs.  Davis  died  President  Roosevelt  sent  a  bouquet 
of  flowers  to  be  placed  upon  her  coffin.  It  was  a  queer  thing 
for  him  to  do  in  all  the  circumstances,  but  it  has  been  for 
given  him  by  many  persons,  on  the  ground  that  he  tried  in  this 
blundering  way  to  make  some  atonement  for  his  brutal  treat 
ment  of  her  husband  and  her  prayer  that  he  would  do  the 
square  thing  by  cutting-  out  of  one  of  his  histories  a  cruel  mis 
representation  of  Mr.  Davis.  The  President  can  not  do  better 
now  with  the  petition  in  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  matter  than  to 
let  it  alone. 

["United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy"  should  read  "Con 
federated  Southern  Memorial  Association." — Editor's  note.] 

The  foregoing  article,  entitled  "Some  Truths  of  History,"  is  from 
the  Charleston  News  and  Courier,  of  July  20,  1907.  I  beg  leave  to  differ 
from  the  Charleston  News  and  Courier,  and  as  a  true  and  patriotic 
American  and  a  loyal  Southern  woman,  I  am  most  anxious  to  have 
this  "act  of  vandalism  covered  up,  and  all  old-time  animosities  for- 


23 

gotten;  for  it  is  nearly  half  a  century  since  the  men  of  the  North 
and  the  men  of  the  South  were  arrayed  against  each  other  on  many 
battle-fields.  When  the  closing  scene  of  this  great  war  was  enacted  at 
Appomattox,  the  war  was  over.  We  are  now  one  people,  one  country, 
living  under  one  flag.  In  the  recent  war  with  Spain  the  men  of  the 
South  joined  hands  with  those  of  the  North,  and  together  they  stood 
in  defense  of  this  their  common  country.  That  sectional  prejudice  is  fast 
dying  out  was  proven  by  the  return  of  the  captured  battle  flags,  and 
by  the  generous  appropriation  made  for  the  proper  care  and  perpetual 
maintenance  of  the  graves  of  the  Confederate  dead  now  buried  in 
Northern  cemeteries.  I  am  fully  convinced  that  if  the  attention  of 
the  Government  officials  is*  called  to  the  absurd  blunder  made  by  Hon. 
Caleb  B.  Smith,  in  the  heat  of  passion,  that  it  will  be  regarded  as  a 
just  request  and  that  in  due  time  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  will  be 
restored  to  its  place  on  the  keystone  of  "Cabin  John  Bridge,"  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.  This  is  an  era  of  peace — blessed  peace! — and  I  would 
rather  help  my  brother  cover  up  his  fault  than  rejoice  to  have  it 
stand  against  him  and  the  whole  American  nation.  Let  us  remember 
that  without  that  name  on  the  Bridge,  the  history  of  its  construction 
is  incomplete.  It  profits  us  nothing  that  the  'blank  space  points  to 
another's  spite  of  hatred;  we  want  the  name  there,  so  that  without 
question  the  visitor  may  read  the  name  of  "Jefferson  Davis,  Sec 
retary  of  War."  Let  us  remember  and  cherish  the  wcrds  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  and  put  them  in  practice:  he  said,  "With  malice  to  none,  with 
charity  to  all."  Let  this  be  our  motto,  now  and  forever. 

MRS.    W.    J.   BEHAN, 
President  C.  S.  M.  A. 


REASONS  WHY  THE  NAME  OF  JEFFERSON  DAVIS   SHOULD   BE 

REPLACED   ON    CABIN    JOHN   BRIDGE,    WASHINGTON,   D.    C. 
[Mailed  July  24,  1907,  to  Congressman  Adolph   Meyer  from   Louisiana.] 

The  history  of  the  construction  of  this  wonderful  piece  of 
engineering  demands  that  the  names  of  those  taking  part  in  it  should 
be  inscribed  thereon  and  preserved  for  future  generations. 

As  Secretary  of  War,  from  1853-1857,  under  the  administration 
of  President  Franklin  Pierce,  Jefferson  Davis  supervised  the  con 
struction  of  this  remarkable  structure,  which  is  to-day  considered  a 
masterly  piece  of  engineering  skill. 

If  the  name  Jefferson  Davis  is  not  replaced  on  this  tablet,  what 
guarantee  have  we  that  future  historians  may  not  eliminate  his  name 
from  the  history  of  the  Battle  of  Buena  Vista,  where  his  bravery  and 
strategy  gained  such  a  signal  victory  for  the  American  forces? 


24 

If  this  act  of  injustice,  this  defamation  of  the  fair  name  of  an 
honorable  servant  of  the  people,  was  perpetrated  without  congressional 
action,  by  an  official  of  the  administration,  why  cannot  restitution  be 
made  by  the  present  Secretary  of  War? 

Hon.  Caleb  B.  Smith,  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  acted  without 
authority;  if  the  present  Secretary  of  War  does  not  feel  himself  em 
powered  to  act,  why  cannot  we  make  an  appeal  direct  to  His  Excellency, 
Theodore  Roosevelt,  President  of  the  United  States? 

It  is  not  necessary  to  arouse  the  country  in  order  to  accomplish 
this  act;  the  name  can  be  restored  quietly,  without  fuss  or  comment, 
just  as  it  was  removed  without  authority. 

Much  has  been  said  and  written  about  the  magnanimity  of 
General  U.  S.  Grant,  in  making  terms  with  General  Robert  E.  Lee, 
at  Appomattox.  Will  our  President  and  Secretary  of  War  be  less 
magnanimous  in  dealing  with  Jefferson  Davis,  who  was  no  more 
guilty  of  treason  than  was  General  Robert  E.  Lee? 

There  are  some  who  oppose  this  movement  and  think  that  the 
erasure  honors  the  name  of  Davis  more  than  the  restoration  will  do. 
In  answer  to  this,  I  will  say,  as  an  American  I  desire  my  Government 
to  be  just  to  every  man,  and  as  the  chiseling  off  of  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  was  an  indignity  offered  to  him,  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
Government  to  make  restitution  and  to  replace  the  name  where  it 
properly  belongs. 

This  is  the  era  of  peace  and  good  will.  Sectional  prejudice  is  frt^t 
dying  out.  Our  young  men,  descendants  of  those  who  wore  the  grey, 
rallied  around  the  Stars  and  Stripes  and  shed  their  blood  in  defense 
of  our  re-united  country.  Last  year  our  Government  appropriated 
$200.000  for  the  marking  and  perpetual  care  of  the  graves  of  Confed 
erate  soldiers  buried  in  Northern  cemeteries.  This  was  a  most  gen 
erous  act,  and  worthy  of  the  great  American  people.  Will  these 
patriotic  citizens  deny  this  one  act  of  justice  to  a  man  whose  only 
fault  was  that  he  served  his  people  faithfully,  according  to  the  light 
that  was  given  him,  and  for  which  he  was  made  the  vicarious  suf 
ferer? 

This  is  the  centennial  year  of  the  birth  of  Jefferson  Davis.  Is 
it  not  time  to  declare  all  animosities  wiped  out  and  to  let  the 
people  of  the  whole  country  join  hands  and  rejoice  that  peace — 
blessed  peace! — reigns  all  over  the  land? 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,    President  C.  S.  M.  A. 


Editorial    Rooms.      THE  NEWS  AND   COURIER. 

CHARLESTON,  S.  C.,  July  25,  1907. 
MRS.  W.  J.   BEHAN.  New  Orleans.  La.: 

My  Dear  Madam, — I    have   received   your  letter  of   July   22d.     A 


25 

request  from  you  to  the  editor  of  the  Democrat  and  Chronicle, 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  for  a  copy  of  that  paper  containing  its  article  on 
"Cabin  John  Bridge"  would  be  responded  to  with  pleasure. 

I  agree  fully  with  you  that  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge  would  be  an  act  of  justice,  but  I  do  not 
think  it  would  in  way  affect  the  truth  of  history.  The  fact  that 
his  name  has  been  effaced  from  the  keystone  of  that  structure  ad 
vertises  the  meanness  of  the  people  who  cut  it  out  really  more  than 
the  restoration  of  the  name  would  do.  This  is  the  point  I  tried  to 
make  in  the  article  reprinted  in  The  Morning  Star  from  The  News 
and  Courier.  Very  respectfully  yours, 

J.  C.   HEM  PHI  LL, 
Editor  The  Xeivs  and  Courier. 


COLUMBUS,  Miss.,  July  25,  1907. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAX.  President: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Behan, — I  have  your  letter  of  July  22d,  in  reference 
to  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  on  the  Washington 
Aqueduct  or  Cabin  John  Bridge,  in  Washington.  I  had  heard  some 
where  that  the  name  had  been  restored;  if  not,  certainly  the  action 
of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  was  most  appro 
priate  in  every  way.  I  think  that  when  your  Congressman,  Mr. 
Meyer,  with  others,  brings  tne  matter  to  the  attention  of  the  Secretary 
of  War.  the  request  will  at  once  be  granted.  I  hold  myself  ready  to 
act  with  you  and  others  in  the  matter,  if  necessary.  I  think,  how 
ever,  the  effort  should  first  be  made  as  you  inaugurated — through 
your  Congressman.  All  the  ugly  inscriptions  at  Anderscnville  have 
been  recently  removed  through  a  quiet  presentation  of  facts. 

With   kind   wishes,  Sincerely  your  friend. 

STEPHEN  D.  LEE. 


ATLANTIC  CITY.  X.  J.,  Aug  G,  1907. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAX.  New  Orleans,  La.: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Behan. — Many  thanks  for  your  kind  favors  of  the 
24th  July,  with  enclosures,  which  will  prove  of  great  service. 

I  feel  satisfied  that  we  will  succeed  in  the  movement  to  restore  the 
name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge;  a  confidence  war 
ranted  by  the  results  of  several  conferences  I  have  had  with  Secretary 
of  War  Taft,  whose  voice  w  ill  be  practically  potential  in  the  matter. 

However,  we  must  indulge  ourselves  in  patience  and  proceed  tact 
fully  in  order  to  meet  conditions  on  all  sides.  It  cannot  be  forced 
immediately.  Sincerely  yours, 

ADOLPH    MEYER. 


26 

GENERAL  HEADQUARTERS. 
UNITED  SONS  OF  CONFEDERATE  VETERANS. 

Memphis,  Term. 
NATHAN    BEDFORD    FORREST,  JOHX  W.   APPERSOX, 

Adjutant  General  and  Chief  of  Staff.  Commander-in-chief. 

August  10,   1907. 
MBS.  W.  J.  BEIIAX,  President  C.  S.  M.  A.,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

Dear  Madam, — I  have  your  favor  of  July  31,  and  would  have 
answered  sooner  except  for  the  fact  that  I  had  several  calls  out  c.f 
the  city  recently,  and  have  been  so  busily  engaged  that  it  has  been 
impossible  for  me  to  reach  this  matter. 

I  am  in  thorough  accord  and  sympathy  with  the  resolutions  of 
fered,  and  beg  to  advise  that  I  will  do  everything  in  my  power  per 
sonally  and  officially.  The  family  of  Jefferson  Davis  were  very  dear 
to  me  on  account  of  the  intimate  associations  during  their  residence 
in  Memphis. 

Please  command  me  at  any  time,  and  I  am, 

Yours  very  truly,  J.  W.  APPERSON. 


[Taken  from  Indianapolis  News,  Aug.  14,  1907.] 
THE  WOMEN   ARE  THE  WISER. 

Some  time  ago  the  "Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Associa 
tion,"  asked  that  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis1  be  restored  to  the 
Cabin  John  Bridge  near  Washington  where  it  had  been  chiseled 
out  during  the  war.  (It  had  been  placed  there  because  Davis 
was  Secretary  of  War  and  had  selected  the  plans  for  the 
bridge.)  The  Charleston  News  and  Courier  protested  against 
the  action  of  the  Association  on  the  ground  that  it  was  not 
the  affair  of  the  Southern  people  but  of  those  that  did  the  act 
and  it  wanted  to  see  the  mutilated  stone  stand.  In  turn  we 
argued  to  a  correspondent  that  this  mutilation — done  in  the  heat 
of  war  time — reflected  on  us1  as  a  people  and  ought  to  be  ob 
literated  by  a  restoration  of  the  name  and  cited  the  argument 
of  our  Charleston  contemporary  as  revengeful  and  as  evidence 
of  its  wanting  to  "feed  fat  its  ancient  grudge"  by  having  the 
stone  stay  mutilated.  To  this  our  contemporary  (which,  be  it 
said,  we  highly  regard  and  admire),  replies1  that  it  has  no 
grudge  and  is  not  animated  by  revengeful  feelings;  that  it  sim 
ply  protested  against  the  action  of  the  Southern  Ladies'  As 
sociation,  because  "it  was  not  our  affair"  and  that  the  correc 
tion  should  be  made  "by  those  that  represent  the  vandals  that 
did  it."  It  continues  thus: 

The  mutilated  stone  on  Cabin  John  Bridge  as  our  Indiana  con 
temporary  says,  "reflects  on  us  as  a  people;"  not  upon  the  peo 
ple  of  the  South,  nor  upon  the  interests  represented  by  any 
Confederate  Association,  but  upon  the  people  of  the  North. 
They  mutilated  the  stone;  let  them  restore  it.  It  does  not  make 


27 

the  least  difference  to  Mr.  Davis'  people  whether  they  do  or 
not,  but  as  long  as  it  remains  in  its  present  condition  it  will 
continue  to  "reflect  on  us  as  a  people."  "We  think,"  says  our 
contemporary,  "the  name  is  better  there  for  us  than  the  blank 
space — far  better."  Doubtless  that  is  true,  but  it  is  not  a  mat 
ter  in  which  Mr.  Davis's  people  should  interfere.  That  is  all. 

But  "Mr.  Davis's  people"  are  "us1  people."  They  are  part  and 
parcel  of  this  American  people  and  their  opinion  is  part  of  the 
public  opinion  that  guides  the  country.  They  have  their  due 
share  of  responsibility  for  any  and  all  actions.  That  is  where 
the  "Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association"  is  wiser  and 
broader  minded  than  the  News  and  Courier.  What  is1  done  or 
acquiesced  in  to-day  we  are  all  responsible  for.  "Mr.  Davis's 
people"  can  not  stand  apart  and  say,  "We  have  no  responsibility 
for  what  was  done  by  Mr.  Lincoln's  people."  WE  are  a  common 
country  and  everything  of  national  import  affects  us  all;  and 
speaking  to  the  case  in  point,  the  South  would  have  its  share 
of  responsibility  for  the  mutilated  stone  still  standing  if  it  did 
not  speak,  just  as  the  North  would  have  for  letting  it  stand. 
There  is  no  way  in  which  any  of  us  can  wash  our  hands  of  any 
national  matter.  Those  of  us  that  are  not  of  the  "Government" 
belong  to  "His  Majesty's  opposition"  and  as  good  citizens  of  a 
common  country  have  their  part  to  play.  So  we  must  com 
mend  the  Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association"  for  hav 
ing  done  its  duty  and  arraign  the  spirit  that  we  regret  to  note 
prompts1  our  esteemed  Charleston  contemporary  as  less  wise 
and  patriotic. 

If  we  grant  that  it  is  not  revengeful  (and  we  shall  confess  that 
we  did  not  greatly  fear  the  vengeful  feelings  of  so  wise  an 
exemplar  of  good  influences  as  the  Charleston  News  and  Courier) 
we  must  hold  that  it  is  unjustifiable;  for  there  can  be  no  aloof 
ness  or  "non-intercourse"  on  the  part  of  any  good  citizen  in 
national  affairs.  It  is  not  a  question  of  what  was  done  more 
than  forty  years  ago  by  one  side  in  the  heat  of  civil  strife.  It 
is  a  question  of  what  the  American  people  do  to-day  and  the 
magnanimity  or  malice  of  their  action  is  compounded  of  the 
sentiment  of  the  whole  people.  Whether  nearly  fifty  years  after 
a  civil  war  we  shall  perpetuate  a  little  thing  like  this  done  when 
men's  minds  were  stirred  with  passion,  or  whether  we  shall 
obliterate  it  is  a  conclusion  to  be  reached  by  hearing  from  the 
whole  country  just  as  the  return  of  the  battle  flags  was  based 
as  much  on  the  desire  of  the  Southern  States  made  known  to 
receive  them  as  on  that  of  the  Northern  States  to  give  them. 
So  we  say  the  "Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association"  has 
chosen  the  better  part  and  shown  the  larger  spirit. 

["Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association"  should  read 
"Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association." — Editor's  note.] 


[Taken   from  Daily   States   August  19,   1907.] 

A  FRIENDLY  CONTROVERSY. 

A  short  time  ago  the  Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Associa 
tion  addressed  to  President  Roosevelt  a  petition  asking  that 
the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  be  restored  to  the  Cabin  John 
Bridge  near  Washington  where  it  had  been  chiseled  out  by 


28 


somebody's  order  during  the  Civil  War,  it  having  been  placed  on 
a  stone  of  the  arch  because  Mr.  Davis  was  the  Secretary  of 
War  who  approved  the  plan  for  the  bridge  and  under  whose 
supervision  it  was  constructed. 

The  Charleston  News  and  Courier,  it  seems,  protested  against 
the  action  of  the  Memorial  Association  on  the  ground  that  it 
was  not  the  affair  of  the  Southern  people  but  of  those  who  were 
responsible  for  the  mutilation  of  the  stone.  Our  Charleston 
contemporary  took  the  position  that  the  stone  should  be  left  as* 
it  is,  and  in  the  event  that  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  is  restored 
it  should  be  done  at  the  instance  of  and  "by  those  who  repre 
sent  the  vandals  that  mutilated  it."  In  this  connection  the  News 
and  Courier  said: 

"The  mutilated  stone  on  Cabin  John  bridge,  as  our  Indiana 
contemporary  says,  'reflects  on  us1  as  a  people;'  not  upon  the 
people  of  the  South,  nor  upon  the  interests  represented  by  any 
Confederate  Association,  but  upon  the  people  of  the  North. 
They  mutilated  the  stone;  let  them  restore  it.  It  does  not 
make  the  least  difference  to  Mr.  Davis'  people  whether  they  do 
or  not,  but  as  long  as  it  remains  in  its  present  condition  it  will 
continue  to  'reflect  on  us  as  a  people.'  'We  think,'  says  our  con 
temporary,  'the  name  is  better  there  for  us  than  the  blank 
space — far  better.'  Doubtless  that  is  true,  but  it  is1  not  a  matter 
in  which  Mr.  Davis'  people  should  interfere.  That  is  all." 

The  Indianapolis  News  thinks  the  argument  of  the  News  and 
Courier  is  offered  in  a  revengeful  spirit  and  declares  that  the 
mutilation  of  the  stone  bearing  the  name  of  Jeffer&on  Davis — 
an  act  done  in  the  heat  of  war  time — reflected  "on  as  as  a  peo 
ple  and  ought  to  be  obliterated  by  a  restoration  of  the  name." 
In  quite  a  kindly  spirit  the  Indianapolis  paper  argues  that  Mr. 
Davis'  people  are  our  people;"  that  "they  are  part  and  parcel 
of  the  American  people  and  their  opinion  is  part  of  the  public 
opinion  that  guides  the  country."  Mr.  Davis'  people  would  like 
to  think  so,  but  there  are  so  many  things  that  prove  the  con 
trary  that  they  are  unable  to  do  it.  They  are  in  the  Union,  but  not 
in  its  councils,  therefore  their  opinion  does  not  amount  to  any 
thing  at  all  and  does  not  guide  the  country  in  any  sense.  The 
Southern  people,  however,  are  not  deploring  such  a  situation, 
and  we  would  not  refer  to  the  matter  were  it  not  for  the  sake 
of  keeping  the  record  straight. 

So  far  as  the  rather  agreeable  controversy  between  the  News 
and  Courier  and  Indianapolis  News  is  concerned  it  is1  a  very 
trifling  matter.  The  place  of  Jefferson  Davis  in  history  is  per 
fectly  secure,  and  it  does  not  interest  his  people  in  the  least 
whether  or  not  his  name  is  restored  to  the  mutilated  stone  of 
Cabin  John  Bridge. 

["Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association"  should  read 
"Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association." — Editor's  note.] 


CHARLESTON,  S.  C.,  1  Meeting  Street,  Aug.  15,  1907. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEIIAN: 

Yours  of  July  31st,  with  enclosures,  has  been  received,  and,  I  am 
very  happy  to  serve  on  the  committee  in  connection  with  Cabin  John 


29 

Bridge  matter.  I  stand  ready  to  do  my  share  of  the  work,  and  what 
ever  is  assigned  me  I  shall  look  after  to  the  best  of  my  ability.  The 
enclosures  put  the  matter  before  me  very  clearly  and  I  am  sure  that 
you  will  prove  a  wise  and  tactful  leader  of  the  undertaking.  I  want 
to  remind  you  that  in  the  original  resolution  there  was  some  dis 
cussion,  and  that  when  it  was  passed  it  was  with  the  understanding 
that  we  should  ask  to  have  the  name  restored  with  the  dates  and 
words — removed  1861,  restored  1908 — as  there  seemed  to  be  a  senti 
ment  that  these  dates  would  be  of  historic  value.  Personally  I  think 
they  are,  and  if  you  remember,  Mrs.  Hayes  took  part  in  this  discussion 
and  thoroughly  approved  of  the  idea  of  the  dates  appearing  in  con 
nection  with  the  name.  I  just  mention  this  so  that  you  can  know  how 
to  arrange  matters  with  Mr.  Meyer.  I  am  sure  you  will  understand 
all  about  it  anyway.  It  certainly  would  be  gratifying  if  Mr.  Taft 
would  order  the  restoration  of  the  name  without  the  trouble  of  tak 
ing  the  matter  before  Congress,  but  at  any  rate  we  are  starting  on 
an  enterprise  which  should  be  accomplished  some  day.  Please  call 
on  me  at  any  time  that  there  is  something  for  me  to  do  for  our 
committee,  and  with  kindest  regards  believe  me  to  be, 

Yours  faithfully. 

MARY  B.  POPPBXHEIM. 


COLUMBUS,   Miss.,  August   21,   1907. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEIIAX: 

I  have  your  letter  of  August  17th,  with  reference  to  Mr.  Davis' 
name  on  tHe  "Cabin  John  Bridge".  As  I  have  written  you,  I  think 
your  referring  the  matter  to  Mr.  Meyer  was  wise.  Leave  it  in  his 
hands  without  any  conditions.  I  tonow  Mr.  Taft,  Secretary  of  War; 
he  is  a, ftroacl,  conservative  man.  He  will  do  what  is  right.  What  is 
done  should  be  done  quietly. 

With  kind  wishes,  Yours  truly, 

STEPHEN  D.  LEE. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA..  August  23,  1907. 
Hox.  W.  H.  TAPT,  Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir, — From  a  recent  letter  received  from  Mr.  Meyer,  M.  C. 
from  Louisiana,  I  learn  with  pleasure  that  he  has  had  several  con 
ferences  with  you  on  the  subject  of  restoring  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge,  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  that  he  feels  con 
fident  of  success.  It  is  not  necessary  to  go  over  the  history  of  the 
famous  aqueduct— how  it  was  built  during  Mr.  Davis'  term  as  Sec 
retary  of  War;  how  in  the  heat  of  passion  and  sectional  prejudice  Hon. 
Caleb  B.  Smith.  Secretary  of  Interior,  by  his  own  word,  and  without 
congressional  action,  ordered  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  cut  off  the 


30 

keystone,  where  it  had  been  inscribed  with  that  of  President  Pierce. 
After  nearly  half  a  century  we  can  view  the  action  with  more  charity 
and  we  can  truly  say,  "With  malice  to  none  and  charity  to  all." 

The  movement  to  restore  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the 
"Cabin  John  Bridge"  has  met  with  the  approval  not  only  of  tiie 
Southern  people,  but  our  Northern  brethren  are  desirous  of  having  it 
done;  believing,  as  the  Indianapolis  News  says,  "The  mutilated  stone 
reflects  upon  us  as  a  people,  and  the  name  is  far  better  there  than  the 
blank  space,  far  better." 

I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Com 
mander-in-chief  of  the  United  Confederate  Veterans,  in  which  he 
writes  in  referring  to  this  subject,  "I  know  the  Secretary  of  War, 
Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  he  is  a  broad  and  conservative  man  and  will  do 
what  is  right."  *  *  * 

I  read  with  pleasure  your  speech  delivered  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  yes 
terday,  and  I  beg  to  say  that,  as  Kentucky  was  the  birthplace  of 
Jefferson  Davis,  you  would  make  yourself  very  popular  in  that  grand 
old  State  by  this  single  act  of  restoring  the  name  of  its  favored  son 
to  the  place  where  it  belongs  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and  I  appeal  to 
you  as  one  all-powerful,  to  see  that  this  act  of  tardy  justice  is  granted. 
Hon.  Adolph  Meyer  is  in  heart  sympathy  with  the  movement,  and 
I  feel  that  he  enjoys  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  administration. 
If  you  could  see  your  way  clear  to  grant  this  request  on  or  before' 
the  third  day  of  June,  1908.  it  would  be  most  highly  appreciated  by 
the  members  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association. 
Mr.  Secretary,  we  believe  it  is  in  your  power,  and  we  lool  to  you  for 
a  favorable  reply.  Yorrs  very  respectfully, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BBJHAN, 

President. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT. 

WASHINGTON,  August  29,  1907. 
MY  DEAR  MADAM: 

In  the  absence  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  I  beg  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  23d  of  August,  concerning  the  restoration 
of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and  to  sajy 
In  reply  that  I  have  placed  your  letter  in  the  hands  of  General 
Mackenzie,  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  Army,  who  will  present  it  to 
the  Secretary  upon  his  return  frcm  his  present  trip  to  the  Phillipine 
Islands.  I  beg  to  thank  you  on  behalf  of  the  Secretary  for  the  kind 
words  of  your  letter.  Very  respectfully, 

C.    C.   WAGNER, 
Acting  Private  Secretary. 
To  MRS.  W.  J.  BKIIAN.  Pres't  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Ass'n. 


[Indianapolis1  News,  Aug.  23,  1907.] 
CROSSING  THE   BRIDGE. 

The  Charleston  News  and  Courier,  whose  kindly  words  and 
good  opinion  of  this  paper  we  appreciate  and  reciprocate,  is 
still  recalcitrant  on  the  question  of  Jefferson  Davis's  name  and 
the  Cabin  John  Bridge.  It  reminds  us  of  the  man  that  said 
the  horse  was  seventeen  feet  high.  When  told  that  he  evident 
ly  meant  seventeen  hands  he  admitted  that  he  did,  but  that  as 
he  had  said  seventeen  feet  he  meant  to  stick  to  it.  The  News 
and  Courier  "insists"  that  the  people  of  the  South  "are  not  in 
any  sense  responsible  for  the  "vandalism"  that  cut  the  name 
from  the  bridge.  By  the  same  reasoning,  it  declares  we  might 
as  well  hold  the  people  of  the  South  responsible  for  the  burning 
of  Atlanta  and  Columbia  and  the  de&olation  of  the  country  by 
Sherman's  men  on  the  march  to  the  sea.  Furthermore  it  "does 
not  care  a  copper"  whether  Davis's  name  is  restored,  but  pro 
tests  against  any  people  of  the  South  asking  for  its  restoration. 
Finally,  it  tells  us  that  the  war  "was  not  a  civil  war,  but  a 
purely  defensive  war  on  the  part  of  the  South  and  a  war  of 
criminal  aggression  on  the  part  of  the  North.  It  is1  all  over 
now,"  it  continues,  but  it  wants  to  "keep  the  record  straight!" 

All  right!  The  horse  is  seventeen  feet  high — not  hands;  we 
shall  agree  on  that.  But  that  is  not  the  subject  of  our  story. 
The  South  was  not  responsible  for  the  "vandalism"  that  cut  the 
name  off;  nor  was  it  responsible  for  the  acts*  of  Sherman's  men. 
But  we  insist  that  it  is  responsible  in  its  due  share  for  the  na 
tional  opinion  of  the  year  1907  concerning  anything  of  national 
import,  sentimental  or  material.  It  shares  the  responsibility 
for  the  acquisition  of  the  Philippines  and  our  future  policy  re 
garding  them;  and  it  was  responsible  for  the  return  of  the 
battle  flags,  in  part,  by  creating  the  sentiment  that  so  culminated, 
as  it  was  als'o  duly  responsible  for  the  act  of  Congress  which 
was  unanimously  passed  correcting  a  mistake  of  Mrs.  Jefferson 
Davis  by  which  she  had  lost  her  copyright  to  her  admirable 
memoirs  of  her  husband  and  restoring  this  to  her.  These  all 
were  acts  of  the  Republican  party  and  Presidents  that  politi 
cally  represented  the  North  only,  but  officially  they  represent 
ed  the  whole  country  and  the  quality  of  their  acts  was  com 
pact  of  the  opinions  of  the  whole  country  mingling  like  the 
atmosphere  to  produce  a  certain  result. 

The  Charleston  paper  may  hold  whatever  views  it  pleases  of 
the  late  war  and  of  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  incident.  But  when 
it  comes  to  national  action,  not  opinion,  to-day,  on  any  sub 
ject — as  on  this  incident,  for  example — we  insist  that  morally 
it  will  have  to  care  a  copper  whether  it  wants  to  or  not,  for  it  is 
part  and  parcel  of  this  nation;  and  so  the  action  of  the  Con 
federate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association  in  letting  their  opinion 
be  known  as  to  the  incident  was  right  and  proper  and  the  part 
of  good  citizenship. 

["Confederate  Ladies'  Memorial  Association"  should  read 
"Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association." — Editor's  note.] 


32 

NKW  OIU.KANS,  LA.,  1207  Jackson  Avenue,  28,  1907. 
To  TIIF:  EDITOR  INDIANAPOLIS  NEWS,   Indianapolis,   Ind.: 

Dear  Sir, — The  copies  of  your  paper  were  duly  received,  and  I 
wish  to  compliment  you  on  the  article,  "Crossing  the  Bridge",  which 
is  written  in  the  true  American  spirit.  Your  ideas  of  good  American 
citizenship  agree  with  that  of  many  prominent  Southern  people,  who 
do  not  feel  themselves  debarred  from  the  responsibilities  of  the  nation 
by  reason  of  their  residence  on  the  other  side  of  Mason  and  Dixon 
line.  In  the  name  of  the  Association  of  which  I  am  president  I  thank 
you  for  your  honest,  candid  and  patriotic  views  concerning  the  reso 
lution  offered  at  its  recent  convention,  "to  adopt  the  necessary  means 
to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  Cabin  John  Bridge. 
Washington,  D.  C."  It  is  nearly  half  a  century  since  the  closing 
scene  at  Appomattox  ended  the  War  between  the  States.  The  country 
is  re-united,  and  we  are  one  common  people,  and  as  such  It  is  the 
duty  of  all  patriotic  citizens  to  assist  in  obliterating  every  evidence 
of  the  ill-feeling,  malice  and  sectional  prejudice  engendered  by  the  war. 
The  mutilated  keystone  on  Cabin  John  Bridge  stands  out  in  bold  re 
lief  as  an  act  of  indignity  offered  to  a  man  who  served  his  country  in 
time  of  war  and  peace  with  exceptional  ability  and  fidelity;  and  while 
it  is  recorded  as  the  act  of  one  man  who  was  -blinded  with  prejudice, 
it  reflects  upon  the  honor  of  the  whole  American  nation,  and  should 
be  corrected  as  soon  as  possible.  As  the  wife  of  a  Southern  Re- 
publican,  I  am  proud  of  my  Government.  Its  recent  action,  in  return 
ing  the  captured  battle  flags,  and  the  generous  appropriation  for  tho 
care  of  graves  of  Confederate  soldiers  buried  in  Northern  cemeteries, 
will  always  be  remembered  with  pride  and  gratitude.  It  was  a  most 
courteous  act  on  the  part  of  General  Fred.  Grant,  to  furnish  a  military 
escort  when  the  remains  of  the  late  Mrs.  Jefferson  Davis  were  removed 
to  Richmond,  Va.,  for  final  interment,  and  the  floral  tribute  sent  by 
President  Roosevelt,  on  the  same  sad  occasion,  was  highly  appreciated 
by  the  Southern  people.  It  had  been  the  hope  of  Mrs.  Davis  that  she 
would  be  spared  to  see  the  name  so  dear  to  her  restored  to  Cabin 
John  Bridge,  but  fate  decreed  otherwise,  and  we  now  have  it  as  a 
duty  to  render  this  tardy  act  of  justice  while  we  have  with  us  the 
only  surviving  daughter  of  this  distinguished  man — I  refer  to  Mr*. 
J.  Addison  Hayes,  a  resident  of  Colorado;  and  who  claims  Washington 
as  her  birthplace,  having  been  born  there  during  her  father's  term  as 
Secretary  of  War.  You  will  find  enclosed  a  copy  of  a  letter  from 
General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United  Confederate 
organization,  who  is  in  heart  sympathy  with  this  movement.  As  you 
will  remark,  General  Lee  is  very  hopeful  that  Secretary  of  War  can 
and  will  do  the  right  thing,  and  we  would  prefer  to  have  it  done 


33 

quietly,   so   as   to   prevent   adverse   and   radical   expressions   from   any 
party. 

In  conclusion,  permit  me  to  thank  you  for  your  sensible  article,  and 
to  express  a  hope  to  have  your  co-operation  if  necessary. 
Yours  very  respectfully, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAX, 
President  C.  8.  M.  A. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA..  August  28,  1907. 
MY  DEAR  GENERAL  MEYER: 

I  hope  you  will  be  patient  with  me.  I  am  just  like  the  average 
woman,  more  or  less  impatient  to  accomplish  my  purpose.  For 
the  last  week  or  two  the  papers  are  full  of  the  reported  resignation 
of  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft.  This  makes  me  uneasy,  as  we  look  to  him  as 
the  man  with  the  power  and  the  goodwill  to  do  what  we  want. 
I  know  you  are  watchful  and  ever  on  the  qui  vive.  but  in  this  case 
we  must  "watch  and  pray".  Enclosed  find  a  copy  of  a  letter  that  I  wrote 
to  Mr.  Taft.  I  hope  you  will  not  consider  it  an  unwise  proceeding. 
Several  of  the  Northern  papers  have  taken  up  the  matter  in  reply 
to  an  article  in  the  Charleston  News  and  Courier — you  will  find 
these  clippings  herewith,  together  with  my  notes  (none  of  which  have 
been  given  to  the  press),  as  I  am  waiting  instructions  from  you. 

Mr.  Phillips,  of  Bridgeport,  a  perfect  stranger  to  me,  wrote  to  the 
President  and  gave  his  letter  to  the  Baltimore  Sun.  The  New  Orleans 
Picayune  copied  it,  with  a  very  fine  article,  which  I  sent  to  Mr. 
Phillips.  He  has  had  copies  printed  for  distribution.  I  have  asked 
Mr.  Phillips  to  confer  with  you  when  he  goes  to  Washington  next 
month.  If  you  think  well  of  it.  I  can  get  our  papers  and  the  "Con 
federate  Veteran"  to  recommend  the  movement  to  the  favorable  con 
sideration  of  the  Secretary  of  War.  Let  me  know  when  and  how  I 
can  assist  you  *  *  *  Remember,  my  dear  General  Meyer,  that  we 
are  most  desirous  to  have  the  name  restored  before  the  third  day 
of  June,  1908 — the  sooner  the  better.  *  *  * 

Yours  very  respectfully. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
President  C.  8.  M.  A. 


(Telegram) 

TATE  SPRINGS.  TENX..  October  5,  1907. 
MRS.  WILLIAM  J.  BEHAX.  1207  Jackson  Avenue,  New  Orleans.  La.: 

Letter  here;  do  not  think  advisable  taking  further  action  now;  will 
explain  situation  to  you  on  my  return. 

A.  MEYER. 


34 

HOME,  RICHMOND,   VA.,   October  2,   1907. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAX: 

Yours  received.  No!  Do  not  think  of  giving  out  anything  to  news 
papers  until  the  restoration  of  Mr.  Davis'  name  is  assured.  It  would 
be  foolhardy.  You  have  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer  at  work;  you  have  ap 
pointed  your  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee,  who  know  the  resolutions 
of  the  June  Convention.  My  watchword  is,  "Silence,  and  restoration  by 
Commission,  of  War  Department."  Yours  hurriedly, 

MRS.   J.   ENDERS  ROBINSON. 


1908. 

3ln  ftrttunrUmt 


On  March   8,   1908,  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee  suf 
fered  the  loss  of  an  invaluable  member  by  death, 

HONORABLE    ADOLPH    MEYER. 


On  March  8,  1908,  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee  suffered  the 
loss  of  a  most  valuable  member  in  the  death  of  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Congressional  Record  of  the  Sixtieth 
Congress,  First  Session,  Washington,  Sunday,  May  10,  1908,  shows  the 
esteem  in  which  Hon.  Meyer  was  held  by  his  fellow  citizens: 

EULOGIES  ON  THE   LATE   REPRESENTATIVE   MEYER. 

Mr.  Ransdell,  of  Louisiana.     Mr.  Speaker,  I  offer  the  reso 
lution  which  I  send  to  the  Clerk's  desk. 
The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  business  of  the  House  be  now  sus 
pended  that  opportunity  may  be  given  for  tributes  to 
the  memory  of  the  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer,  late  a  Mem 
ber  of  this  House  from  the  State  of  Louisiana. 

Resolved,  That,  as  a  particular  mark  of  respect  to  the 
memory  of  the  deceased  and  in  recognition  of  his  dis 
tinguished  public  career,  the  House,  at  the  conclusion 
of  these  exercises,  shall  stand  adjourned. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  communicate  these  resolu 
tions  to  the  Senate. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  send  a  copy  of  these  resolu 
tions  to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 
The  resolutions  were  agreed  to. 


35 


Mr.  Davey,  of  Louisiana  took  the  chair  as  speaker  pro  tem- 
pore. 

Mr.  Ransdell,  of  Louisiana.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  rise  to  pay  a  tri 
bute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  my  deceased  colleague,  Hon. 
Adolph  Meyer,  late  a  Representative  in  Congress  from  the  First 
District  of  Louisiana,  who  died  at  New  Orleans  on  the  8th  of 
March,  1908,  and  is  honored  and  mourned  by  his  State  and  na 
tion. 

General  Meyer  was  born  at  Natchez,  Miss.,  October  19,  1842, 
and  spent  his  childhood  in  that  State.  He  matriculated  in  the 
University  of  Virginia,  and  before  graduation  left  that  famous 
training  school  of  the  South  to  enter  the  Confederate  army  in 
1862.  During  the  trying  times  of  the  greatest  Civil  War  the 
world  has  ever  seen  General  Meyer  played  an  active,  honor 
able  part,  serving  on  the  staff  of  Brig.  Gen.  John  S.  Williams', 
of  Kentucky,  and  holding  the  rank  of  adjutant-general  when 
the  war  closed.  In  1879  he  was  elected  colonel  of  the  First 
Regiment,  Louisiana  National  Guard,  and  in  1881  was  appoint 
ed  by  Governor  Wiltz,  brigadier-general  of  the  First  Louisiana 
Brigade,  embracing  all  the  uniformed  militia  in  the  State.  In 
connection  with  the  organization  of  the  State  Militia  his1  ser 
vices  were  very  efficient. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Cuban  War  General  Meyer  was  urged, 
on  account  of^  his  military  experience  and  ability,  for  a  po 
sition  as  either  brigadier  or  division  commander  of  Southern 
volunteers.  The  following  was  written  by  Gen.  John  S.  Wil 
liams,  of  Kentucky,  upon  whose  staff  General  Meyer  served: 

To   the   President. 

Your  Excellency:  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your 
favorable  consideration  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer,  of  Louisiana, 
for  position  of  division  or  brigade  commander  of  South 
ern  volunteers. 

Mr.  Meyer  served  on  my  staff  during  almost  the  entire 
Civil  War.  He  was  pre-eminent  for  soldiery  qualities, 
the  loftiest  courage,  fidelity,  and  endurance.  In  fact,  he 
seemed  a  natural-born  soldier  and  commanded  the  con 
fidence  and  admiration  of  the  entire  command. 

I  know  of  no  young  officer  who  manifested  more  mili 
tary  aptitude;  his  resourcefulness1  in  emergencies  and 
quickness  to  avail  himself  of  every  possible  advantage 
and  devotion  to  duty  were  unsurpassed. 

Mr.  Meyer's  experience  in  actual  war  has1  been  sup 
plemented  by  command  in  the  Louisiana  Militia  and 
National  Guard. 

I  know  the  appointment  would  be  a  good  one  and 
highly  acceptable  to  the  Southern  people. 

With  sentiments  of  the  highest  regard,  I  am, 
Most  respectfully  yours. 

JOHN   S.  WILLIAMS. 

Brigadier-General,  afterwards  Commanding  Kentucky 
Division.  May  2,  1908. 

Mr.  Lamb.  Mr.  Speaker,  the  frequent  eulogies  in  this  House, 
Sunday  after  Sunday,  remind  us  of  the  solemn  and  serious 


fact  that  in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death.  A  visitation  of 
this  grim  monster  has  prevented  my  making-  as  full  and  com 
plete  a  eulogy  on  our  departed  friend  and  comrade  as  I  had  hoped 
to  make,  for  no  longer  ago  than  yesterday  I  was  called  to  wit 
ness  the  funeral  of  a  splendid  Virginia  woman  who  met  a 
sudden  and  tragic  death  by  a  runaway  accident.  I  omy  left 
the  city  of  Richmond  this  morning  alter  a  very  early  breakfast, 
in  order  that  I  might  reach  this  House  in  time  to  comply  with 
the  request  of  my  colleagues  from  the  State  of  Louisiana  to 
unite  in  this  tribute  to  the  life  and  character  of  our  deceased 
friend. 

I  have,  perhaps,  seen  more  of  death  in  war  than  any  other 
man  in  this1  presence,  and  as  much  in  peace.  Only  this  morn- 
Ing  I  came  through  the  historic  city  of  Fredericksburg,  where 
in  December,  1863,  I  counted  on  a  surface  no  larger  than  this 
room  the  bodies  of  285  of  the  dead  men  of  Mears's  brigade, 
in  that  conflict  of  which  I  was  an  eyewitness.  All  I  have  her« 
to  say  has  been  written  on  the  train  between  Fredericksburg 
and  this  city.  As  my  mind  ran  over  the  battlefield  of  old 
Virginia  I  thought  of  the  apostrophe  to  death  I  have  heard  so 
often  quoted  on  this  floor: 

Come  to  the  bridal  chamber,  Death! 

Come  to  the  mother's,  when  she  feels 
For  the   first  time,  her  first-born's  breath! 

Come  when  the  blessed  seals 
That  close  the  pestilence  are  broke, 
And  crowded  cities  wail  its  stroke! 
Come   in    consumption's  ghastly   form, 
The   earthauake  shock,   the   ocean   storm; 
Come  when  the  heart  beats  high  and  warm, 

With  banquet  song,  and  dance  and  wine! 
And  thou  art  terrible! — the  tear, 
The  groan,  the  knell,  the  pall,  the  bier, 
And   all   we  know,   or   dream,   or   fear 

Of  agony,  are  thine. 

We  look  upon  death  as  the  greatest  of  mysteries;  but  to  my 
mind,  accustomed  as  I  have  been  in  war  and  peace  to  this 
dread  monster,  I  regard  what  we  call  life  as  even  more  myste 
rious  than  death  itself. 

Mr.  Chairman,  the  life  of  Adolph  Meyer  was  eventful  and  dis 
tinguished.  Louisiana  may  well  mourn  and  this1  House  well 
honor  this  soldier,  patriot,  business  man,  and  statesman. 

In  him  was  combined  those  qualities'  of  sterling  character, 
rare  fidelity,  courage,  and  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of  every 
duty  which  justly  entitles  him  to  live  in  the  hearts  and  mem 
ories  of  his  countrymen. 

Modest,  unassuming,  and  genial,  liberally  educated,  of  broad 
business  experience,  he  gave  to  his  public  duties  that  sound 
judgment  and  untiring-  effort  which  won  for  him  the  affec 
tion,  respect,  and  confidence  of  his  colleagues. 

Adolph  Meyer  was  a  native  of  Natchez,  Miss.,  born  in  Octo 
ber,  1842.  Educated  at  the  University  of  Virginia,  he  left  that 
institution  while  a  student  to  enlist  in  the  Confederate  army, 
serving  with  distinction  under  Brig.  Gen.  John  S.  Williams,  first 


37 


as  captain,  then  by  promotions  until  at  the  close  of  the  war  he 
held  the  position  of  adjutant-general. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Louisiana,  became 
the  head  of  a  firm  largrly  in t»  rested  in  the  production  of  cot 
ton  and  sugar;  later  he  became  a  cotton  factor  in  New  Orleans, 
and  was  prominent  and  successful  in  commercial  and  financial 
pursuits. 

He  was  elected  and  served  as  colonel  of  the  First  Regiment 
Louisiana  National  Guard,  and  was  appointed  in  1881  brigadier- 
general  to  command  all  of  the  uniformed  corps'  of  the  State  of 
Louisiana. 


NEW  ORLEANS.  LA..  April  6,  1908. 
MRS.  WILLIAM  J.  BEHAN,   1207  Jackson  Avenue,  City: 

Dear  Madam,— ^By  request  of  Mrs.  Adolph  Meyer,  I  send  you  the 
papers  with  reference  to  Cabin  John  Bridge  which  she  found  among 
General  Meyer's  effects.  With  my  regards,  I  remain, 

Yours  very  truly, 

C.  M.  EISEMAN. 


RESTORE  OLD  HICKORY'S  WORDS. 
"Union  Must  Be  Preserved,"  To  Be  Replaced  on  Bust. 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  April  9. — After  an  absence  of  forty-three 
years  Andrew  Jackson's  historic  words,  "The  Union  Must  be 
Preserved,"  will  be  restored  to  the  monument  of  "Old  Hickory" 
in  Court  Square.  The  bust  of  Jackson  will  be  put  in  good  shape 
immediately,  a  contract  for  the  wrork  having  been  let  by  the 
Park  Commission.  "During  the  Civil  War  a  local  Confederate 
patriot  took  a  chisel  and  removed  'The  Union  Must  Be  Pre 
served,'  "  said  Colonel  Galloway,  a  member  of  the  Commission. 
"Now  that  the  Civil  War  is  long  past  and  we  are  all  so  proud 
of  the  Union  it  seems  to  me  that  it  would  be  only  proper  to 
put  this  language  back." 


Appointment  of  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster  U.  S.  Senate — to  succeed 
Hon.  Adolph  Meyer —  M.  C.  of  La.,  deceased  March  8,  1908,  as  repre 
sentative  from  C.  S.  M.  A.  to  U.  S.  Government. 

NEW  ORLEANS.  LA..  April  11,  1908. 
Hox.  MURPHY  J.  FOSTER,  United  States  Senate,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir, — As  on  previous  occasions  I  have  received  evidence  of 
your  friendly  services,  and  knowing  you  to  be  an  influential  member  of 
the  United  States  Senate,  and  that  you  are  on  friendly  relations  with 
the  Administration,  I  write  to  ask  that  you  will  exert  your  best 
efforts  in  support  of  a  question  in  which  the  Southern  people  are  in 
terested. 

In  June.  1907,  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association, 
of  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be  president,  met  in  Convention  in  Rich- 


38 

mond,  Va.  At  the  Convention  a  resolution  was  adopted  asking  that 
means  be  taken  to  have  th  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  re-inscribed  on 
"Cabin  John  Bridge,"  or  as  it  is  known  on  the  Records  as  the  "Union 
Arch".  Upon  my  return  to  New  Orleans,  a  few  weeks  after  the  Con 
vention,  I  met  our  mutual  friend,  General  Meyer,  and  enlisted  his 
interest  and  services.  He  expressed  himself  as  in  hearty  sympathy 
with  the  movement,  and  said  that  he  considered  it  an  outrage  that 
the  name  should  have  been  erased;  that  it  was  a  piece  of  petty  spite, 
that  he  considered  unworthy  of  an  American  citizen,  and  that  such 
a  blur  should  be  removed  from  the  American  nation.  When  General 
Meyer  returned  to  Washington,  he  placed  the  matter  immediately 
before  the  Secretary  of  War,  Hon.  Wm.  H.  Taft,  and  from  what 
General  Meyer  told  me,  he  was  very  confident  of  success,  and  believed 
that  it  could  be  done  by  the  Secretary  of  War  without  bringing  it 
before  Congress. 

General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United  Con 
federate  Veterans,  is  in  heart  sympathy  with  this  movement,  and, 
as  you  will  see  from  his  letter,  he  believes  that  the  Hon.  Mr.  Taft 
can  and  will  restore  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the  tablet,  where 
in  justice  and  for  the  truth  of  history  it  belongs.  On  .June  3,  1908, 
will  occur  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Jefferson 
Davis.  We  will  celebrate  the  day  in  the  honor  of  one  of  the  greatest 
Americans  the  country  has  ever  produced.  We  will  honor  him  as 
soldier,  statesman  and  patriot.  He  was  said  to  be  the  most  efficient 
Secretary  of  War  that  ever  served  in  that  office,  and  it  was  during 
his  term  of  office  that  this  wonderful  structure,  "Cabin  John  Bridge," 
was  constructed ;  and  to  have  erased  his  name  from  the  tablet  was  a 
despicable  act  of  prejudice  that  should  be  quickly  repaired. 

In  connection  with  this  movement  I  beg  to  call  your  attention 
to  an  enclosed  clipping,  which  proves  that  to-day  all  sectional  feeling 
has  died,  and  the  people  North  and  South  are  ready  to  say  with 
Jackson,  "The  Union  must  be  preserved."  In  the  name  of  my  Asso 
ciation  I  hope  you  will  be  pleased  to  take  this  matter  up  where  General 
Meyer  left  off,  and  that  you  will  with  your  usual  success  bring  it  to 
a  glorious  conclusion.  Yours  very  respectfully, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
President  C.  8.  M.  A. 


[New   Orleans  Daily  Picayune,  April   22,   1908.] 

PUT   DAVIS'S   NAME   BACK. 
Resolution  to   Be  Offered  by  Mr.  Carlin   Looking  to  This. 

[From   Our  Regular  Correspondent.] 

Washington,  D.  C.,  April  21. — Representative  Carlin,  of  Vir 
ginia,  said  to-day  it  was  his  purpose  to  introduce  a  resolution 
calling  on  the  Secretary  of  War  for  all  information  relative  to 


39 


the  erasure  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  from  the  aqueduct 
bridge  near  this  city. 

The  bridge  was  completed  during  the  term  of  Mr.  Davis  as 
Secretary  of  War  and  his  name  appeared  on  the  capstone  of 
the  abutment.  During  the  War  between  the  States,  the  name 
was  chiseled  out,  it  is  said,  by  the  order  of  the  then  Secretary 
of  War. 

Mr.  Carlin's  bill  is  preliminary  to  the  introduction  of  a  bill 
for  the  restoration  of  Mr.  Davis's  name. 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  113  3d  Street  South,  April  22,  1908. 
REPRESENTATIVE  CAKLIX,   of  Virginia,  Washington,  D.   C.: 

Dear  Sir, — In  the  issue  of  the  Times-Dispatch,  this  city,  of  this 
date,  a  telegraphic  message  from  Washington  states  that  you  will  ask 
Congress  for  all  information  concerning  the  erasure  of  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  from  Cabin  John  Bridge. 

Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  let  me  know  if  the  newspaper  article  Is 
correct?  The  movement  to  restore  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  was  started 
by  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  of  New  Orleans, 
La.  I  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  committee  by  the  president,  to 
represent  the  State  of  Virginia. 

Yours  truly, 

MRS.    J.    ENDERS  ROBINSON. 


C.  C.  Carlin,  8th  District  of  Va. 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  U.   S. 

April  28,  1908. 
MRS.  J.  E.  ROBINSON,  113  3d  Street,  South,  Richmond,  Va.: 

Dear  Madam, — I  have  your  favor  of  the  22d  inst.,  and  for  your 
information  will  say  that  I  have  introduced  a  resolution  inquiring 
as  to  the  reason  for  the  elimination  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis 
from  the  arch  at  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and  what  steps,  if  any,  have  been 
taken  to  restore  same.  It  is  my  purpose  to  press  this  resolution  at 
the  fall  session  of  Congress. 

Very  truly  yours, 

C.  C.  CARLIN. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA..  1207  Jackson  Avenue,  April  25,  1908. 
Hox.  MR.  CARLIN,  House  Representatives,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir,— In  the  New  Orleans  Daily  Picayune  of  date  April  24th 
I  read  that  you  propose  to  introduce  a  resolution  in  the  House,  call 
ing  for  an  investigation  into  the  removal  of  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  from  "Cabin  John  Bridge",  and  that  you  will  subsequently 


40 

offer  a  second  resolution,  directing  that  the  name  be  restored  to  its 
former  place  on  the  Bridge. 

As  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  of  which 
I  am  the  President,  inaugurated  this  movement  by  offering  such  a 
resolution  as  is  understood  in  your  second  resolution,  I  have 
thought  it  proper  to  give  you  the  details  of  the  origin  of  this 
patriotic  and  historic  measure. 

The  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  met  in  con 
vention  in  Richmond  last  June,  and  at  this  convention  the  subject 
of  the  removal  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  from  "Cabin  John 
Bridge"  was  discussed  with  great  feeling  as  to  the  injustice  of  tne 
act,  the  petty  spite  displayed,  and  the  many  considerations  that 
should  impel  the  great  American  people  to  obliterate  all  evidences 
of  sectional  prejudice  by  restoring  the  name  to  its  original  place 
on  the  Bridge.  Mrs.  J.  Addison  Hayes,  the  only  surviving  daughter 
of  Jefferson  Davis,  was  present,  and  said  that  her  father  had  al 
ways  considered  it  a  great  act  of  injustice,  and  that  her  mother  had 
hoped  to  live  to  see  justice  done  the  name  of  her  illustrious  hus 
band,  who  was  the  most  efficient  Secretary  of  War  that  this  govern 
ment  ever  had. 

After  this  spirited  discussion,  a  resolution,  which  is  here  en 
closed,  was  offered  by  Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson,  of  Richmond,  Va., 
a  delegate  from  the  Confederate  Memorial  Literary  Society  (Con 
federate  Museum),  and  the  motion  carried.  The  president  was 
empowered  to  appoint  a  committee  from  the  several  Confederate 
organizations  who  would  give  their  endorsement,  if  necessary 
in  having  the  name  restored.  The  committee  list  is  also  enclosed.  1 
wrote  to  General  Lee  on  fhe  subject,  and  send  you  a  copy  of  his 
letter  showing  his  approval  of  the  action  of  the  Confederated 
Southern  Memorial  Association  and  recommending  that  it  be  con 
ducted  as  quietly  as  possible  to  avoid  ugly  and  partisan  criticism. 

After  my  return  to  New  Orleans  I  met  General  Adolph  Meyer, 
who  was  a  personal  friend  and  the  Congressman  of  my  District.  I 
spoke  to  him  of  this  movement,  and  he  immediately  expressed  a 
willingness  to  take  the  matter  in  nand.  He  advised  taking  the 
matter  directly  to  Secretary  Taft,  arguing  that  as  the  name  had 
been  ordered  taken  off  without  Congressional  action  it  might  be  re 
stored  in  the  same  way  by  the  Secretary  of  War. 

General  Meyer  had  several  very  satisfactory  interviews  with 
the  Secretary,  and  felt  confident  of  success.  Unfortunately  death 
called  him  before  the  object  was  accomplished,  but  I  feel  that  Mr. 
Taft  is  favorably  disposed,  if  the  matter  can  be  presented  to  him  in 
the  proper  light. 

On    April    12th    I    wrote   to   Hon.    Murphy    J.   Foster,   giving   him 


41 

all  the  data  that  had  been  returned  to  me  by  the  widow  of  General 
Meyer.  If  you  will  permit  the  suggestion,  I  would  be  pleased  to 
have  you  confer  with  him,  feeling  that  you  and  Senator  Foster  hold 
the  same  views  on  the  subject.  I  believe,  however,  with  General 
Lee,  that  it  should  be  done  quietly;  that  we  must  be  patient,  and 
that  at  the  proper  time  the  Secretary  of  War  will  order  the  restora 
tion  in  his  own  right  of  office  and  without  bringing  it  before  Con 
gress.  The  enclosed  data  is  submitted  that  you  may  learn,  in  case 
you  have  not  been  informed  already  that  the  movement  originated 
^'ith  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  and  that  a 
Virginia  lady,  Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson,  Secretary  of  the  Con 
federate  Museum,  was  the  mover  of  the  resolution.  The  news 
papers  in  different  parts  of  the  country  commented  on  the  move 
ment,  and  I  am  happy  to  report  that  the  Northern  press  was  favor 
able,  The  Rochester  News  (N.  Y.),  The  Indianapolis  Journal,  and  a 
gentleman  from  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  published  very  fine  articles,  and 
the  New  Orleans  Daily  Picayune  and  the  Times-Democrat,  as  well 
as  the  Times-Dispatch  of  Richmond,  Va.,  were  in  heart  sympathy 
with  the  movement. 

I  hope  to  hear  from  you  at  your  earliest  convenience,  and  hope 
that  with  our  united  efforts  we  will  accomplish  our  object.  I  have 
had  an  interview  with  Hon.  R.  C.  Davey,  with  whom  1  am  per 
sonally  acquainted,  and  have  asked  him  to  see  you.  Senator  Foster 
has  promised  all  his  assistance. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 

President. 

WASHINGTON,   D.  C.  May   16,  1908. 
MRS.   W.  J.  BEHAN,   New  Orleans,  La.: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Brhan,  —  I  have  been  sick  nearly  the  whole  time 
since  my  return,  and  when  I  went  to  the  House  of  Representatives 
Mr.  Carlin  would  be  away.  I  found  him  on  Saturday  and  had  quite 
a  talk  with  him  relative  to  Cabin  John  Bridge.  He  stated  to  me 
that  his  father  was  interested  in  the  matter  before  his  death;  how 
ever,  he  does  not  intend  to  press  it  this  session,  but  will  endeavor  to 
have  it  considered  next  session. 

With  very  kind  regards,  I  am,          Yours  truly, 

R.   C.   DAVEY. 


3ln 

On  May  28,  1908,  death  claimed  another  member  of  the 
Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee,  in  the  passing  of 

GENERAL  STEPHEN  1).  LEE, 

Commander-in-Chief,  United  Confederate  Veterans. 


42 

UNITED    STATES   SENATE. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  25,  1908. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BKIIAN,  1207  Jackson  Ave.,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

Dear  Madam, — I  have  not  written  before  in  regard  to  the  matter 
of  restoring  the  name  of  President  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge, 
because  I  have  been  awaiting  an  opportunity  of  taking  the  matter  up 
with  Secretary  Taft. 

It  must  ultimately  be  referred  to  the  War  Department,  and 
consequently  will  be  left  largely  to  his  control.  For  this  reason  I 
have  thought  that  the  best  policy  to  pursue  would  be  to  consult  with 
the  Secretary  and  ascertain  his  views. 

His  presence  in  Panama  at  the  time  your  letter  was  received, 
and  his  absence  from  Washington  during  the  greater  part  of  the  time 
since  returning  to  this  country,  has  prevented  the  taking  the  matter 
up  with  him  in  person,  but  I  have  arranged  to  bring  it  to  his  atten 
tion,  i 

This,  is  my  opinion,  is  the  best  course  for  the  people  interested 
in  the  matter  to  follow,  for  I  think  they  can  rely  on  the  wisdom  and 
justice  of  the  Secretary.  Yours  truly, 

(Signed.)  MURPHY  J.   FOSTER. 


General  Clement  A.  Evans,  Commander-in-Chief,  was  appointed 
to  fill  the  vacancy  on  the  Committee,  caused  by  the  death  of  General 
Stephen  D.  Lee. 

HEADQUARTERS  UNITED   CONFEDERATE  VETERANS. 
CLEMENT  A.  EVANS,  WM.  E.  MTCKLE. 

General  Commanding.  Adj't-Gen'l,  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

Office  of  Commanding  General, 

July  27,  07. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  Pres.,  New  Orleans: 

Dear  Mrs.  BeJian, — I  have  read  with  great  interest  your  letter  and 
inclosures.  I  have  made  myself  somewhat  acquainted  with  the  effort 
to  have  the  words  "Jefferson  Davis"  restored  to  the  stone  on  the 
"Cabin  John  Bridge".  Additional  to  the  help  you  obtained  from 
the  Louisiana  members  of  Congress,  I  observed  that  a  member  from 
Virginia,  introduced  a  resolution  of  inquiry,  and  I  wrote  to  him 
about  it  and  received  his  reply.  I  agree  with  all  parties  that  this 
effort  should  be  made  without  the  slightest  involvement  with  poli 
tics.  The  restoration  of  the  name  should  be  made  as  a  simply  duty 
to  historical  fact.  The  present  blank  on  the  tablet  does  not  dis 
honor  Mr.  Davis,  but  it  does  discredit  all  of  us.  North  and  South, 
who  approve  the  mutilation  or  object  to  the  restoration. 


43 

I  feel  perfectly  sure  that  as  soon  as  the  present  political  can 
vass  for  the  Presidency  is  over,  that  either  the  present  Secretary  of 
War  or  the  next  Secretary  of  War  will  on  his  best  judgment  have 
"Jefferson  Davis"  replaced  on  the  stone.  It  is  so  absolutely  absurd 
(as  I  see  the  matter)  to  make  a  political  issue  on  this  question  that 
I  cannot  imagine  any  patriot  in  the  Union  will  be  offended  when  it 
is  done. 

Your  noble  spirit  in  all  matters  like  this  will  commend  you  and 
your  work  to  all  our  best  countrymen,  and  will  be  remembered  with 
gratitude  by  our  Confederate  soldiers. 

With  great  esteem, 

CLEMENT  A.  EVANS. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA-.  Nov.  30,  1908. 
HON.  LUKE  E.  WRICHT,   Secretary  of  War,  Washington,   D.   C.: 

Dear  Sir, — I  take  the  liberty  of  calling  your  attention  to  the  en 
closed  copy  of  a  resolution  passed  at  the  Confederated  Southern 
Memorial  convention  held  in  the  city  of  Richmond,  Va.,  June  1,  1907. 

By  the  action  of  the  convention  I  was  made  chairman  of  tne 
committee  by  reason  of  my  office  as  president  of  the  Association, 
and  I  have  associated  with  me  as  members  of  the  committee,  Gen 
eral  Clement  A.  Evans,  of  Atlanta,  Ga..  Commander-in-Chief  United 
Confederate  Veterans;  Mrs.  C.  B.  Stone,  of  Galveston,  Texas,  Presi 
dent-General  of  the  United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy;  and  Mr. 
Jno.  W.  Apperson,  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Commander-in-Chief  United 
Sons  Confederate  Veterans.  This  committee,  composed  of  prominent 
and  influential  persons,  is  in  hearty  accord  with  the  movement.  Im 
mediately  upon  my  return  to  New  Orleans  I  saw  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer, 
M.  C.  from  Louisiana,  and  requested  him  to  interest  himself  in  the 
matter.  He  expressed  himself  freely  on  the  subject  as  one  deserving 
the  attention  of  our  people,  and  cheerfully  said,  "I  will  do  all  in  my 
power  to  have  this  request  granted." 

Returning  to  Washington,  Mr.  Meyer  had  several  satisfactory 
interviews  with  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  at  that  time  Secretary  of 
War,  and,  from  all  that  I  could  glean  from  his  letters,  Mr.  Meyer 
was  confident  of  success.  Copies  of  these  letters  will  be  sent  to  you 
for  your  information.  Acting  on  the  advice  of  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft  and 
Mr.  Meyer,  all  active  measures  were  delayed  until  after  the  election. 
In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Meyer  died;  and  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  U.  S. 
Senator,  and  Hon.  R.  C.  Davey,  M.  C.  from  the  same  State,  promised 
to  do  all  in  their  power  for  the  success  of  the  movement.  During  the 
latter  part  of  the  last  session  I  learned  that  Hon.  C.  C.  Carlin,  M.  C., 
from  Virginia,  had  given  notice  that  he  intended  introducing  a  bill 


44 

in  Congress  asking  for  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis 
on  "Cabin  John  Bridge".  I  wrote  Mr.  Carlin,  and  had  a  member  of 
the  Committee  from  Virginia  to  write  him  also,  that  the  Confed 
erated  Southern  Memorial  Association  had  already  started  a  move 
ment  in  that  direction;  that  we  had  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  parties 
authorized  to  act  for  us,  and  we  respectfully  asked  that  he  would 
not  introduce  such  a  bill. 

We  hope  to  accomplish  our  purpose  without  bringing  it  before 
the  public,  as  it  would  probably  meet  with  some  objection,  though 
I  firmly  believe  the  majority  of  the  American  people  are  in  favor  of 
proving  our  greatness  by  performing  this  tardy  act  of  justice  for  the 
sake  of  truthful  history. 

From  all  that  I  could  learn  it  was  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Taft  that 
the  Secretary  of  War  had  the  power  and  authority  to  order  the  name 
restored,  or  that  the  President  acting  on  the  endorsement  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  would  so  order. 

Mr.  Secretary,  the  election  is  over,  and  the  American  people 
have  shown  their  wisdom  by  placing  at  the  head  of  this  glorious 
nation  a  man  who  will  put  truth,  justice  and  honor  above  all  else. 
Should  you  wish  to  place  this  matter  before  our  honorable  Presi 
dent-elect,  you  will  find  him  in  possession  of  all  the  facts  as  stated 
here,  and  favorably  disposed  to  assist  you  in  your  efforts  to  bring 
about  the  desired  result.  As  you  are  aware,  this  is  the  centennial 
of  the  birth  of  Jefferson  Davis,  and  I  believe  it  to  be  an  opportune 
time  for  pressing  our  claim,  in  order  that  the  truth  of  history  may 
be  preserved.  If  this  matter  is  properly  placed  before  our  broad- 
minded  and  generous  President,  Hon.  Theodore  Roosevelt,  I  believe 
he  will  be  pleased  to  wind  up  his  already  glorious  administration  by 
ordering  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  on  the  tablet 
from  which  it  was  shamefully  cut  off  without  authority  by  Mr.  Caleb 
Smith,  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  in  1861.  It  is  a  great  honor  and 
privilege  to  have  in  the  office  of  Secretary  of  War  one  who  not  only 
knew  Jefferson  Davis  personally,  but  one  whom  we  honor  and  re 
spect  as  a  Confederate  Veteran.  With  you  there  is  no  question  of 
the  right  and  justice  of  this  request,  and  we  appeal  to  you  with 
confidence  in  your  willingness  to  act  and  ability  to  succeed. 

This  magnificent  structure  is  only  one  of  the  evidences  of  the 
great,  skill  and  efficiency  of  Mr.  Davis  while  he  was  Secretary  of 
War  and  we  should  give  honor  to  whom  honor  is  due.  It  is  a  matter 
of  record  that  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  was  ordered  cut  off  the  tablet 
by  Hon.  Caleb  B.  Smith,  who,  in  his  passion  and  prejudice  forgot 
that  to  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  this  country  owes  justice  and 
recognition  for  services  rendered  on  the  field  of  battle,  in  the  conn- 


45 

cil  chamber,  and  as  one  of  the  ablest  men  in  the  cabinet  of  President 
Franklin  Pierce.  This  act  of  petty  spite  stands  to-day  as  a  reproacfi 
10  the  American  people,  and  should  be  obliterated  by  the  restoration 
of  the  name  where  it  rightfully  belongs.  When  this  is  done — and  let 
us  hope  that  it  will  be  done  during  the  Davis  centennial  year — then, 
indeed,  may  we  boast  of  the  great  American  people  and  the  re-united 
country. 

And  now,  in  conclusion,  Mr.  Secretary,  I  will  indulge  in  a  short 
personal  allusion  as  an  introduction  to  you,  as  well  as  to  our  Presi 
dent-elect.  I  am  the  wife  of  General  W.  J.  Behan,  a  Confederate 
veteran  who  served  for  four  years  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir 
ginia,  and  who  has  since  his  surrender  at  Appomattox  been  a  loyal 
citizen  of  the  United  States.  Under  separate  cover  I  will  send  you 
certain  data  that  may  be  useful  to  you  in  working  up  this  matter, 
and  I  am  ready  at  all  times  to  aid  you  in  your  efforts.  If  necessary, 
I  will  go  on  to  Washington  to  urge  prompt  and  favorable  action. 

Thanking  you  in  advance  for  your  co-operation,  and  assuring 
you  of  my  highest  esteem,  I  am,  Yours  very  respectfully, 

MRS.  W.  J.   BEHAX, 
President. 

Additional  data  mailed  to  Hon.  Luke  A.  Wright,  December  1, 
1908: 

1st.  Copy  of  resolution  passed  by  C.  S.  M.  A.,  at  Convention, 
Richmond,  Va.,  relative  to  Cabin  John  Bridge. 

2d.  Names  of  Committee. 

3d.  Copies  of  letters  from  the  late  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer;  Gen'l. 
Stephen  D.  Lee;  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  Secretary  of  War;  Hon.  Murphy 
J.  Foster,  U.  S.  Senator  from  Louisiana. 

4th.  Copy  of  C.  S.  M.  A.  minutes,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  Convention, 
June  1-3. 

5th.  Copies  of  letters  from  Gen'l  Clement  A.  Evans,  Com- 
mander-in-Chief;  from  Jno.  W.  Apperson,  Commander-in-Chief  U. 
S.  C.  V.;  from  Mrs.  Cornelia  Branch  Stone,  Pres't-Gen'l,  U.  D.  C. 


NEW  ORLEANS.  LA.,  1207  Jackson  Avenue,  December  2,  1908. 
MBS.  CORNELIA  BRANCH  STONE.  President  General,  United  Daughters  of 

the  Confederacy,  Galveston,  Texas: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Stone. — I  trust  you  have  arrived  home  safe  and  are 
enjoying  a  well  earned  rest  after  the  fatigues  of  the  Convention. 
Permit  me  to  take  this  occasion  to  compliment  you  upon  your  ex 
ecutive  ability  and  upon  your  admirable  tact  and  patience  in  con 
trolling  such  a  large  Convention. 


46 

I  regret  that  you  did  not  give  me  the  opportunity  to  thank  you, 
in  the  name  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  for 
your  active  interest  in  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  matter. 

As  an  interested  member  of  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  Commit 
tee  of  the  C.  S.  M.  A.,  it  is  due  you  that  you  be  advised  as  to  all 
that  has  been  done  by  the  chairman,  and  to  request  that  you  co 
operate  with  the  committee  in  the  plan  adopted  for  accomplishing 
this  historical  and  patriotic  work. 

As  you  are  aware,  £he  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  resolution  was 
passed  at  the  C.  S.  M.  A.  Convention  held  in  Richmond,  Va.,  June 
1,  1907,  and  all  Confederate  Associations  were  invited  to  unite  with 
the  C.  S.  M.  A.  in  its  effort  to  accomplish  this  object.  The  Chair 
was  authorized  to  appoint  a  committee,  which  was  done,  and  I  en 
close  a  list,  although  I  think  this  was  done  when  I  appointed  you. 
Letters  were  received  from  General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  from  Mrs. 
Lizzie  George  Henderson,  Mr.  Jno.  W.  Apperson,  Cornmander-in- 
Chief  of  the  U.  S.  C.  V.,  and  from  other  members  of  the  committee, 
heartily  endorsing  the  movement.  At  the  expiration  of  Mrs.  Hender 
son's  term  of  office  she  resigned  from  the  committee,  and  you  were 
named  by  me  as  her  successor.  I  wish  to  thank  you  again  for  your 
beautiful  letter  of  acceptance. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United  Confederate  Veterans 
organization  who  succeeded  the  lamented  General  Lee  has  written  me 
a  strong  patriotic  letter,  promising  to  co-operate  with  the  committee. 
The  first  step  taken  by  me  as  Chairman  was  to  place  the  resolu 
tion  in  the  hands  of  a  very  influential  member  of  Congress  from 
Louisiana,  the  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer.  This  was  done  during  the  month 
of  June,  1907,  and  Mr.  Meyer  wrote  me  that  he  had  had  several  very 
satisfactory  conferences  with  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  at  that  time  Secre 
tary  of  War,  and  that  he  felt  confident  of  success.  It  was  deemed 
advisable,  however,  by  Mr.  Meyer  and  General  Lee,  not  to  press 
the  matter,  but  to  bide  our  time  in  patience  until  after  the  presi 
dential  campaign  was  finished.  A  few  months  later  Mr.  Meyer  died, 
and  I  immediately  requested  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  U.  S.  Senator 
from  this  State,  to  take  up  the  matter  where  Mr.  Meyer  had  left  off. 
A  very  satisfactory  letter  was  received  from  Mr.  Foster,  saying  that 
he  had  made  arrangements  to  have  the  subject  presented  to  Hon. 
W.  H.  Taft,  but  he,  too,  advised  patience.  I  wrote  a  personal  letter 
to  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft  and  received  a  reply  from  his  acting  private 
secretary,  advising  me  that  Mr.  Taft  was  absent,  but  that  my  letter 
would  be  referred  to  him  on  his  return  from  the  Philippines. 

During  the  past  week  I  wrote  to  Hon.  Luke  E.  Wright,  Secre 
tary  of  War,  and  furnished  him  with  all  the  necessary  data  which 
had  been  in  the  possession  of  the  late  Mr.  Meyer,  and  duplicates  of 


47 

all  this  material  are  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Foster,  the  representative 
of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  in  Washington, 
D.  C. 

Last  summer,  just  before  Congress  adjourned,  m'y  attention  was 
called  to  a  newspaper  item  which  stated  that  Hon.  C.  C.  Carlin,  of 
Virginia,  had  given  notice  that  he  would  introduce  a  "5111  in  Congress 
asking  why  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  had  been  removed  from  the 
stone  on  "Cabin  John  Bridge",  and  that  his  bill  would  ask  that  it 
be  restored.  I  wrote  immediately  to  Mr.  Carlin,  and  to  Hon.  R.  C. 
Davey,  M.  C.  from  Louisiana,  asking  him  to  see  Mr.  Carlin,  in  per 
son,  and  to  explain  to  him  that  the  C.  3.  M.  A.  had  at  its  Convention 
in  June,  1907,  passed  a  resolution  to  the  same  effect,  and  that  our 
Representative  had  already  taken  the  matter  up  with  the  Hon  W. 
H.  Taft;  and  we  begged  him  (Mr.  Carlin)  to  defer  his  action,  as  we 
had  been  advised  against  bringing  the  subject  before  Congress.  The 
advice  from  all  sources,  from  Confederate  as  well  as  officials  at 
Washington,  is,  to  be  patient  and  leave  the  matter  in  the  hands  of 
the  Secretary  of  War. 

Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  the  delegate  from 
the  Confederate  Memorial  Literary  Society  of  Richmond,  Va.,  who 
offered  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  resolution,  also  wrote  to  Mr,  Carlin, 
explaining  all  that  had  been  done,  and  asked  for  his  co-operation 
with  the  committee.  If  we  hope  to  succeed,  there  must  be  concert  of 
action;  the  committee  must  be  united  in  its  plan  of  procedure,  as 
it  is  in  its  desire  to  accomplish  this  patriotic  work*. 

In  every  step  that  I  have  taken  I  have  advised  with  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief  of  the  United  Confederate  Veterans,  General  Clem 
ent  A.  Evans.  As  Chairman,  I  am  willing  and  pleased  to  receive  sug 
gestions  from  the  members  of  the  committee,  and  from  you  in  par 
ticular,  in  whose  judgment  I  have  great  confidence.  If  you  will  par 
don  me,  I  would  suggest  that  in  printing  your  report  in  the  Atlantic 
Minutes  you  would  say  that  by  reason  of  your  office  of  President- 
General  of  the  U.  D.  C.,  you  are  a  member  of  the  C.  S.  M.  A.  ""Cabin 
John  Bridge"  Committee,  and  that,  as  a  member  deeply  interested  in 
the  success  of  the  movement,  you  called  on  President  Roosevelt,  etc. 
This  will  show  to  all  our  co-workers  that  we  are  working  together 
towards  one  great  purpose. 

With  best  wrishes  for  all  your  endeavors,  believe  me, 
Yours  sincerely  and  fraternally, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 

President    Confederated    Southern    Memorial    Association,    Chairman 
Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee. 


48 

WAR  DEPARTMENT. 

WASHINGTON,  December  1.2,  1908. 
DEAR  MA  DA  \i  : 

I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  1st,  inclosing 
data  in  connection   with   the  subject  of  the  restoration  of  the  name 
of  Jefferson  Davis  on  the  tablet  or  stone  on  Cabin  John  Bridge. 
Very  respectfully, 

LUKE  E.  WRIGHT. 

Secretary  of  War. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  President   Confederated   Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation,  1207  Jackson  Avenue,  New  Orleans,  La. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA-,  1207  Jackson  Avenue,  Dec.  16,  1908. 
GEN'L    CLEMENT    A.    EVANS,    Commander-in-chief    United    Confederate 
Veteran  Organization,  Atlanta,  Ga.: 

My  Dear  General  Evans, — Some  time  ago  I  wrote  you  in  reference 
to  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  "Cabin  John 
Fridge",  Washington,  D.  C.  You  expressed  hearty  sympathy  with 
the  movement  and  stated  that  you  had  written  to  a  member  from 
Virginia,  who  had  introduced  a  bill  in  Congress  on  the  same  sub 
ject.  As  I  wrote  you  at  that  time,  it  was  and  is  still  our  desire 
to  have  this  accomplished  quietly  and  without  bringing  it  before 
Congress.  This  was  the  advice  received  from  the  late  Gen'l  S.  D. 
Lee,  and  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer,  a  member  of  Congress  from  Louisiana, 
Mr.  Meyer  was  the  agent  of  the  Confederated  Southern  MeiYiorhil 
Association  in  Washington,  and  had  had  several  very  satisfactory 
conferences  with  the  then  Secretary  of  War,  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft.  Un 
fortunately,  Mr.  Meyer  died  before  the  object  was  attained,  and  I 
have  asked  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  Senator  from  Louisiana,  to 
take  up  the  matter  where  Mr.  Meyer  left  off.  We  were  advised  to 
keep  quiet  until  after  the  presidential  election.  This  we  have  done, 
but  now  that  Congress  has  convened,  we  have  resumed  our  task. 
The  Virginia  member  of  our  committee  (Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson, 
of  Richmond,  Va.)  wrote  to  Hon.  C.  C.  Carlin,  the  Virginia  member 
who  had  introduced  a  bill  in  Congress  requesting  him  not  to  bring  his 
bill  before  the  House,  but  to  co-operate  with  us  in  our  plan  of  action. 
Enclosed  please  find  Mr.  Carlin's  reply. 

Now,  my  dear  General,  if  we  hope  to  succeed  this  year  we  must 
be  up  and  doing.  I  write  to  request  that  you  write  to  General  Luke 
\.  Wright,  Secretary  of  War,  urging  him  as  a  Confederate  soldier 
to  exercise  his  authority  as  Secretary  of  War  to  have  the  name  re 
stored  to  its  place  on  the  keystone  of  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  during 


4!) 


TABLET  ON  CABIN  JOHN  BRIDGE. 

The   empty   space   represents    the   work    of   vandals,    -who    sought    to   destroy 
record  of  Jefferson  Davis'  connection  with  the  great  onterprise. 


51 

this  the  Davis  centennial  year;  in  the  first  place,  for  the  accuracy 
of  history;  in  the  second  place,  as  a  proof  that  we  are  a  re-united 
people;  and  lastly  (but  not  least),  as  an  act  of  justice  to  a  man 
who  gave  the  best  years  of  his  life  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States  as  soldier  and  statesman,  and  who,  according  to  government nl 
reports,  was  the  most  efficient  Secretary  of  War  who  had  ever  held 
the  office. 

Enclosed  find  certain  data  that  may  be  useful  to  you  as  informa 
tion,  and  let  me  urge  you  not  to  delay  writing.  If  any  other  plan 
should  suggest  itself  to  you,  please  act  upon  it;  perhaps  you  wouM 
like  to  write  to  the  President,  who,  for  the  sake  of  his  Georgia 
mother,  might  comply  with  your  request. 

With  best  wishes  for  your  continued  good  health,  and  wishing 
you  the  choicest  blessings  of  this  joyous  and  holy  season,  believe  me, 
Yours  very  fraternally,  MRS.  W.  J.  BBHAN, 

President  C.  8.  M.  A. 


NEW   ORLEANS,  LA.,   December  21,   1908. 
To  His  EXCELLENCY,  THEODORE  ROOSEVELT,   President  United  States  of 

America,  Washington,  D.  C. : 

Hon.  and  Dear  Sir, — I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  you  on  a 
matter  which,  I  believe,  has  been  or  will  be  brought  to  your  attention 
by  the  Secretary  of  War,  Hon.  Luke  E.  Wright. 

The  subject  is,  the  restoration  of  the  name  Jefferson  Davis  to 
the  keystone  of  the  Washington  Aqueduct  or  Union  Arch.  Under 
separate  cover  I  send  certain  data  in  connection  with  the  movement, 
and  below  I  will  give  a  summary  of  facts: 

Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  in  convention  as 
sembled: 

June    1907.    Resolution    to    have   the    name    Jefferson    Davis    restored 
to    "Cabin    John    Bridge",    Washington,    D.    C.    Adopted.     The 
president  of  the  C.   S.  M.   A.  was  authorized  to  appoint  a  com 
mittee  to  bring  the  matter  to  the  attention  of  the  United  States 
authorities. 

July  1907.    The  president  of  the  C.  S.  M.  A.   placed  the  matter  in 
the    hands    of   Hon.    Adolph   Meyer,   M.    C.    from    Louisiana,    who 
reported  to  her  that  he  had  had    several    satisfactory    conferences 
with  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  and  felt  confident  ot  success. 

July  1907.  General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Commander-in-Chief  United  Con 
federate  Veteran  Organization,  endorsed  the  movement  and 
gave  it  his  active  support. 

March  1908.  At  the  death  of  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer  the  president  re 
ferred  the  matter  to  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Louisiana. 


52 

May  1908.    Upon  the  death  of  General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  his  successor, 
General   Clement  A.   Evans,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,   took  up  the  matter 
with  enthusiasm.    He  wrote  to  Mrs.  Behan,  "I  cannot  imagine 
any  patriot  in  the  Union  will  be  offended  when  it  is  done." 
Other  prominent  men  from  the  North  and  the  South  have  been 
consulted,    and    several    newspapers    from    both    sections    have    pub 
lished  strong  articles  in  favor  of  restoring  the  name  where  it  right 
fully  belongs. 

The  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  represents 
the  "Women  of  the  Sixties"  from  all  parts  of  the  South,  all  united 
in  the  request  that  all  evidences  of  sectional  passion  and  prejudice 
should  be  obliterated  during  this  centennial  of  the  birth  of  Jefferson 
Davis,  who  served  his  country  as  Secretary  of  War. 

Trusting  to  your  good-will  and  noble  desire  to  heal  all  differ 
ences  with  a  view  of  re-uniting  the  people  of  this  great  country,  we 
appeal  to  you  to  make  this  the  crowning  act  of  your  truly  great  ad 
ministration. 

With  expressions  of  the  highest  personal  esteem,  I  am, 

Very  respectfully,  MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 

President. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  December  21,  1908. 
HON.  LUKE  B.  WRIGHT,  Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.  C. : 

Dear  Sir, — Your  letter  of  the  12th  inst.  was  duly  received  and 
appreciated.  This  morning  General  B.  F.  Eshleman,  of  New  Orleans, 
called  to  see  me  to  say  that  he  had  had  a  very  pleasant  and  sat 
isfactory  interview  with  you  regarding  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge" 
matter,  and  that  as  far  as  you  know  there  was  no  objection  to  the 
movement.  He  stated  also  that  it  was  your  intention  to  speak  to 
the  President  on  the  subject  within  the  next  few  days.  I  write  to 
thank  you  for  the  interest  you  have  taken,  and  to  implore  you  as  a 
Confederate  soldier  and  a  citizen  interested  in  all  that  tends  to  the 
best  interests  of  these  United  States,  not  to  permit  the  matter  to 
be  side-tracked  nor  overlooked,  as  is  often  the  case. 

The  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  represents  the 
"Women  of  the  Sixties"  from  all  parts  of  the  South,  and  we  feel  that 
this  is  an  opportune  time  to  request  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  wipe  out  this  evidence  of  the  passion  and  prejudice  of  one 
man  engendered  by  the  war  of  1861-65,  and  which  stands  to-day  as  a  re 
proach  to  the  whole  American  people.  We  do  not  wish  to  stir  up 
strife,  but  prefer  that  it  be  done  quietly  during  this  the  centennial  of 
the  birth  of  Jefferson  Davis. 

Again  we  beg  of  you^to  keep  the  matter  in  mind. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 

President. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 
MADAM.  WASHINGTON,  December  28,  1908. 

I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  by  reference  from  the  White  House 
of  your  letter  of  21st  instant  addressed  to  the  President,  with  addi 
tional  enclosures,  urging  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis 
on  the  tablet  or  stone  on  Cabin  John  Bridge. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  ROBERT  SHOUALTER, 

Acting   Secretary   of    War. 

MRS.  W.   J.  BEHAN,   President  Confederated   Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation,   1207  Jackson  Avenue,  New  Orleans,  La. 


ATLANTA,  GA.,  December  26,  1908. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Behan, — I  am  confident  that  you  will  secure  the  re 
placing  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge,  for  you 
are  moving  wisely  and  gaining  friends. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  present  Secretary  of  War  will  be  in 
duced  to  quietly  direct  the  restoration;  and  that  if  Mr.  Carlin,  act 
ing  on  your  behalf,  will  take  up  the  matter  with  the  assistance  of  a 
few  others  about  the  middle  of  January,  he  will  succeed.  I  will  write 
to  some  members  of  Congress  from  Georgia,  and  also  to  the  Secre 
tary  of  War,  but  would  like  to  know  about  the  time  Mr.  Carlin  will 
renew  his  endeavors. 

We  Confederates  .can  never  be  as  grateful  to  you  as  you  deserve, 
but  you  have  won  our  united  hearts  forever. 

Your  friend, 

CLEMENT   A.   EVANS. 

P.  S. — I  will  return  the  valuable  letters,  etc,  you  sent  me. 


1909 


WAR   DEPARTMENT. 

WASHINGTON.  January  4,  1909. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  21st  ultimo,  in 
regard  to  the  desire  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Associa 
tion  to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  Cabin  John 
Bridge.  I  shall  be  pleased  to  take  this  matter  up  with  the  President 
and  see  what  can  be  done. 

Sincerely  yours,  LUKE  E.  WRIGHT. 

MRS.  W.   J.  BEHAN.   President  Confederated   Southern  Memorial   Assor 
ciation,  New  Orleans,  La. 


54 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  Jan.  9,  1909. 
HON.  LUKE  E.  WRIGHT,  Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir, — I  was  so  happy  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  4th,  in 
which  you  said  you  would  take  up  the  matter  of  the  restoration  of 
the  name,  Jefferson  Davis,  with  the  President.  Pardon  my  per 
sistence,  but  the  Memorial  women  of  the  South  are  deeply  interested 
in  this  movement,  and  would  like  to  know  in  what  way  they  may 
further  its  accomplishment. 

.The  Memorial  Association  is  more  far-reaching  than  its  name 
indicates.  It  is  formed  of  organizations  from  each  of  the  Southern 
States.  One  of  our  Vice-Presidents  is  the  daughter  of  Senator  Bank- 
head,  of  Alabama;  another  officer  is  the  wife  of  Senator  Clay,  of 
Georgia;  and  still  another  is  Mrs.  C.  B.  Bryan,  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  the 
daughter  of  Raphael  Semmes,  of  Confederate  naval  fame. 

Permit  me  to  refer  you  to  the  correspondence  with  Hon.  W.  H. 
Taft  and  the  late  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer,  M.  C.  of  Louisiana.  Mr.  Meyer 
had  several  conferences  with  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  then  Secretary  of  War, 
in  which  Mr.  Taft  said  it  was  in  the  province  of  the  Secretary  of  War 
to  order  the  name  restored.  Mr.  Meyer  was  very  hopeful  of  success, 
and  no  doubt  would  have  succeeded,  as  Mr.  Taft  was  favorably 
disposed,  had  death  not  claimed  him.  President  Roosevelt  has  a 
chance  here  to  write  his  name  in  imperishable  lines.  In  view  of 
the  Lincoln  Centennial  this  year,  let  us  repair  this  act  of  injustice 
to  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  • 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
President. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA..  Jan.  9,  1909. 
HON.  MURPHY  J.  FOSTER,  U.  S.  Senate,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  received  a  letter  from  Hon.  Secretary  of  War, 
General  Wright,  dated  January  4th,  stating  that  he  would  be  pleased 
to  take  up  with  the  President  the  matter  of  restoring  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  to  the  tablet  on  "Cabin  John  Bridge."  The  time 
has  come  when  men  from  the  North  and  the  South  can  afford  to  deal 
justly  with  each  other,  and  should  do  all  in  their  power  to  restore 
the  friendly  relations  that  should  exist  among  such  a  great  people. 
I  beg  of  you  to  call  on  the  Hon.  Secretary  in  behalf  of  this  movement. 
With  this  letter  you  will  find  a  summary  of  what  has  been  done 
by  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association.  The  asso 
ciation  is  more  far-reaching  than  its  name  indicates,  as  it  is  an  asso 
ciation  of  organizations,  not  of  individuals.  One  of  the  vice-presidents 
is  the  daughter  of  Senator  Bankhead.  of  Alabama;  another  officer  is 
the  wife  of  Senator  Clay,  of  Georgia;  and  another  officer  is  the  daughter 


55 

of    Raphael    Semmes,    of    Confederate    naval    fame,    and    the    sister- 
in-law  of  General  Luke  E.  Wright,  our  Secretary  of  War. 

Hoping  to  have  your  active  co-operation,  and  assuring  you  of 
the  endorsement  of  every  Southern  man  in  Congress,  whose  aid 
is  at  your  call,  I  am, 

Yours  very  respectfully,  MRS.  W.  J.   BEHAX, 

President. 


SUMMARY    OF   WHAT    HAS    BEEN    ACCOMPLISHED    UP    TO    DE 
CEMBER  21,  1908. 

Convention  assembled  in  Richmond,  Va.,  May  30,  June  1st,  1907. 

1907,  June  1st — Resolution  to  have  the  name  Jefferson  Davis  restored 
to  "Cabin  John  Bridge",  Washington,  D.  C.  The  President  au 
thorized  to  appoint  a  committee  to  bring  the  matter  to  the  at 
tention  of  the  United  States  authorities.  This  was  done. 

1907,  July— The  President  placed  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  Hon. 
Adolph  Meyer,  M.  C.  from  Louisiana,  who  reported  by  letter  that  he 
Lad  had  several  conferences  with  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft,  Secretary  of 
War,  and  was  confident  of  success. 

1907,  July— General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Commander-in-Chief  U.  C.  V.,  en 
dorsed  the  movement  and  gave  it  his  active  support. 

1908,  March— At  the  death   of  Hon.   Adolph  Meyer,  the  President  re 
ferred  the  matter  to  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Louisiana. 

1908,  May — Upon  the  death  of  General  Lee,  his  successor,  General 
Clement  A.  Evans,  took  up  the  matter  with  enthusiasm,  and  wrote 
Mrs.  Behan  as  follows:  "I  cannot  imagine  any  patriot  in  the 
Union  will  be  offended  when  it  is  done." 

1908,  December— Hon.  C.  C.  Carlin  advised   Mrs.    J.    Enders  Robinson, 
that  in  reply  to  her  request  he  would  withhold  his  bill  a  year, 
or  so. 

Letters  have  been  written  by  members  of  the  committee,  and  the 
President  to  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  War,  Gen'l  Luke  E.  Wright,  to  His 
Excellency  President  Roosevelt,  and  to  prominent  citizens  in  the 
North  and  South.  Several  newspapers,  North  and  South,  have  pub 
lished  strong  articles  in  favor  of  restoring  the  name  and  thus  oblit 
erating  the  outrageous  blunder  of  one  man  (Hon.  Caleb  B.  Smith), 
who,  blinded  by  passion  and  prejudice,  ordered  the  name  cut  off  and  to 
day  his  unauthorized  act  stands  as  a  reproach  against  this  great 
American  people. 

The  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  does  not  wish 
to  stir  up  strife,  nor  to  take  it  before  Congress;  we  prefer  to  have  the 
wrong  righted  in  a  quiet,  dignified  manner,  without  anv  "hurrah." 


.  i 

Our  object  is,  to  preserve  to  future  generations  the  true  and  accurate 
history  of  the  great  and  wonderful  and  imposing  structure  known 
as  the  Union  Arch,  which  was  constructed  while  Jefferson  Davis  was 
Secretary  of  War. 


MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEIIAN:  ATLANTA,   January  11,  1909. 

I  will  write  to-day  a  strong  letter  in  the  true  vein  to  Secretary 
Wright  on  the  matter  of  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis,  which  we  so  earnestly  desire  to  have  done. 

I  feel  sure  that  all  the  best  men  in  Washington  among  the  re 
publicans  would  be  glad  if  it  was  quietly  restored  without  any  ob 
jections  being  made. 

It  is  the  manner  of  doing  it  which  bothers  the  Secretary  of  War. 
I  will  try  to  meet  that  point  in  my  letter  to  him. 

Thanks  to  you  for  asking  me  to  do  anything  for  our  causB  which 
is  on  your  heart.  As  always  your  friend, 

CLEMENT  A.  EVANS. 


UNITED  STATES  SENATE. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  15,  1909. 
MBS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  1207  Jackson  Avenue,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

Dear  Madam, — I  am  in  receipt  of  your  recent  favor,  enclosing  a 
summary  of  what  has  already  been  done  by  the  Confederated  Memorial 
Association,  to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  the  Cabin 
John  Bridge. 

I  note  very  carefully  what  you  have  to  say,  and,  as  stated  in  a 
former  communication,  I  will  be  glad  to  co-operate;  but  still  think, 
as  I  stated  then,  that  it  is  a  matter  that  may  very  well  be  left  with 
Mr.  Taft. 

He  will  be  inaugurated  in  about  six  weeks,  and  having  looked  into 
the  question  when  Secretary  of  War,  I  think  it  would  be  well  to 
postpone  the  matter  until  he  has  an  opportunity  to  act  upon  it.  I 
will,  however,  be  glad  to  advise  with  Gen.  Wright  as  to  the  best 
course  to  be  pursued  in  the  premises. 

Yours  truly,  MURPHY  J.  FOSTER. 


OFFICIAL    ORDER    TO    RESTORE    NAME    OF    JEFFERSON    DAVIS 
TO  THE  AQUEDUCT  CABIN  JOHN  BRIDGE,  AT  WASHINGTON. 

THE  WHITE  HOUSE. 
To  THK  SECRETARY  OF  WAR:     WASHINGTON.  D.  C..  February  16,  1909. 

Will  you   please  direct  that  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  as  Sec 
retary  of  War  be  restored  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge? 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT. 


THEODORE  ROOSEVELT, 

President   of  the   United    States  who   ordered   the   restoration 
February  16,  1909. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 
OFFICE  OK  THE  SECKETAKY. 
Memorandum  for  the  Chief  of  Engineers: 

Restoration  of  thie  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John 
Bridge. 

By  direction  of  the  President,  you  will  take  the  necessary  steps 
to  restore  the  name  of  Jefferscn  Davis  as  Secretary  of  War  to  the 
Cabin  John  Bridge.  The  matter  will  be  given  publicity  from  this  office. 

LUKE  E.  WRIGHT. 
February  20,  1909.  Secretary  of  War. 


The  Picayune  Bureau. 

Post  Building.  Washington,  D.  C.,  Feb.  22,  1909. 
CABIN  JOHN   BRIDGE. 

Largely  on  account  of  the  influence  of  the  late  General 
Adolph  Meyer,  following  the  adoption  of  strong  resolutions  by 
the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  at  Richmond  in  1907,  the 
Secretary  of  War  to-day  ordered  that  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis,  who  was  Secretary  of  War  of  the  United  States,  is  to 
be  restored  to  the  tablet  in  the  great  masonry  arch  at  Cabin 
John  Bridge.  It  was  erased  during  the  Civil  War,  after  he  had 
renounced  his  allegiance  to  the  United  States  and  became 
President  of  the  Confederacy.  Announcement  of  this  decision 
was  made  at  the  War  Department  to-day. 

For  fifteen  years  the  question  of  restoring  the  name  to  the 
historic  span  has  been  agitated  by  Southern  societies  and  men 
from  the  South  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  nation.  The 
efforts,  however,  failed  of  success  until  1907,  when  General 
Meyer,  co-operating  with  the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy, 
induced  Secretary  Taft  to  have  the  matter  of  the  erasure  thor 
oughly  investigated.  Major  Spencer  Cosby  searched  the  records 
and  reported  in  part: 

"The  argument  of  Mr.  Phillips  for  the  restoration  of  the  name 
of  Jefferson  Davis  loses  force  from  the  fact  that  he  is  mis 
taken  in  his  principal  point.  Jefferson  Davis  was  not  Secre 
tary  of  War  when  Cabin  John  Bridge  wras  built,  and  I  can  find 
nothing  in  our  records  to  show  that  he  ever  saw  or  approved  the 
plans  for  that  structure.  He  was  Secretary  of»  War  when  work 
on  other  parts  of  the  aqueduct  was  started,  in  1853,  but  the 
plans  which  he  then  recommended  for  approval  showed  a  bridge 
of  five  arches  over  Cabin  John  Valley.  The  actual  construc 
tion  work  on  the  bridge  was  begun  in  1857,  shortly  after  Mr. 
Davis  ceased  to  be  Secretary  of  War." 

The  incident  marking  the  erasure  of  Mr.  Davis'  name  created 
quite  a  stir  at  the  time,  and  has  been  a  source  of  agitation  ever 
since.  The  letters  of  the  name  were  chipped  from  the  stone 
tablet,  in  which  they  were  cut,  by  direction  of  Caleb  Smith,  Sec 
retary  of  the  Interior,  during  the  Civil  War.  The  order  was 
issued  on  a  motion  made  by  Galusha  Grow,  of  Pennsylvania, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1862. 

["Daughters  of  the  Confederacy"  should  read  "Confederated 
Southern  Memorial  Association." — Editor's  Note.] 


58 

CONGRATULATORY  LETTERS  RECEIVED  BY  MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 

PRESIDENT   CONFEDERATED   SOUTHERN   MEMORIAL 

ASSOCIATION. 

ATLANTA,  February  24,  1909. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

I  congratulate  you  with  all  my  soul  on  your  success  in  having 
the  name  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  its  appropriate  historical  place. 
I  wish  at  an  early  date  to  advise  with  you  in  regard  to  the  con 
tinuance  in  a  true  patriotic  way  of  our  efforts  to  maintain  for  the 
memory  of  Jefferson  Davis  its  rightful  place  in  all  history.  Very 
much  more  is  depending  on  our  fidelity  to  him  than  even  our  own 
people  generally  think. 

Thanking  you,  and  even  "blessing"  you,  for  the  noble  measures  you 
are  taking  to  establish  whatever  is  right  in  Confederate  memories, 
I  am,  Your  friend  indeed, 

CLEMENT  A.  EVANS. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA..    February  24,  1909. 
MY  DEAR  MADAM: 

You  say,  "Congratulations  are  in  order."  They  are  indeed,  and  no 
one  recognizes  so  quickly  and  so  cheerfully  as  I  do  the  services  ren 
dered  by  you  and  your  co-workers.  That  the  women  have  accomplished 
this  act  of  justice  so  long  delayed,  and  those  who  bore  the  heat  and 
burden  of  the  day  when  the  men  of  the  South  were  in  the  front,  com 
mend  them  and  their  work  to  every  Confederate  soldier.  I  know  you 
need  no  assurances  from  me  as  to  the  pleasure  given  me  by  the  work 
accomplished  by  you,  and  I  beg  to  add  to  it  the  assurances  of  my 
personal  high  regard.  That  you  may  live  long  to  worthily  earn  other 
Southern  laurels  and  still  more  endear  yourself  to  Southern  soldiers 
who  care  for  their  history,  is  the  wish  of  one  who  is  pleased  to 
sign  himself,  Yours  fraternally, 

LEWIS   GUION. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEIIAX.  New  Orleans. 


[From  Times-Democrat  of  New  Orleans,  February  25,  1909.] 

CABIN  JOHN   BRIDGE. 

By  ordering  the  restoration  of  the  much-discussed  inscrip 
tion  upon  Cabin  John  Bridge,  President  Roosevelt  has  per 
formed  a  public  service  which  deserves  the  thanks  and  ap 
preciation  of  his  fellow- citizens,  North  as  well  as  South.  The 
mutilation  of  the  tablet  by  order  of  a  vindictive  Congress1  in 
1862  was  perhaps  the  pettiest  act  of  which  the  National  Leg 
islature,  in  all  its  history,  has  been  guilty.  The  bridge  was 
in  its  day  a  notable  accomplishment.  It  was  planned  and  con 
structed  by  government  engineers  who  worked  under  the  di- 


GENERAL  LUKE  E.   WRIGHT, 
Secretary  of  War,  who  executed  the  order  of  President  Roosevelt. 


59 

rection  of  the  Secretary  of  War.  Begun  during  the  adminis 
tration  of  President  Pierce,  it  was  natural  and  proper  that  the 
tablet  should  record,  along  with  the  date,  the  name  of  the  Ex 
ecutive  and  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mr.  Davis,  who  took  a 
keen  interest  in  the  engineering  plans  and  construction.  The 
erasure  of  the  latter's  name,  during  the  war,  was  ordered  when 
sectional  hate  and  fury  was  most  intense  and  designed  as  a 
blow  at  the  Confederate  President.  Years  afterward  it  had 
something  of  the  effect  desired,  for  we  are  told  that  Mr.  Davis, 
in  his  retirement,  felt  the  injustice  keenly. 

But  in  the  truer  sense  the  act  reflected  upon  those  responsi 
ble  for  it  rather  than  upon  Mr.  Davis.  By  the  mere  removal  of 
his  name  from  the  tablet,  his  would-be  detractors  could  not 
rob  him  of  the  credit  that  accrued  from  his  participation  in  the 
planning  and  construction  of  the  bridge,  any  more  than  they 
could  have  destroyed  the  fact  that  he  was  one  of  the  nation's 
ablest  War  Secretaries,  by  mere  mutilation  of  the  official  re 
cords  at  Washington.  The  bridge  continued  to  stand  as  a 
monument  to  the  administration  which  urged  its'  construction 
and  to  the  abilities  of  the  men  who  had  to  do  with  it.  The 
mutilated  inscription  has  only  served  through  the  years  to  em 
phasize  the  facts  which  a  passion-swayed  Congress  sought  to 
obliterate.  The  unsightly  mutilation  itself  has  borne  witness 
during  that  time  to  the  infinite  littleness  of  the  men  who  stooped 
to  a  display  so  childish  of  vindictiveness  and  sectional  hate. 

The  amends  now  ordered  by  Mr.  Roosevelt  should  have  been 
made  years  ago,  in  justice  to  Mr.  Davis  and  in  charity  to  the 
Congress  moved  by  unreasoning  fury  to  an  act  unworthy.  It 
is  an  episode  best  forgotten.  The  people  of  the  South  have  al 
ready  testified  their  appreciation  of  Mr.  Roosevelt's  action,  and 
we  believe  it  will  be,  for  the  reasons  above  suggested,  as  hearti 
ly  approved  by  their  countrymen  of  the  North. 

[EXPLANATORY. — Full  text  of  the  replies  from  Virginia  officials  re 
ceived  in  January  and  February  1909,  will  be  found  further  on,  under 
date  June  1st,  1909,  as  part  of  Mrs.  Robinson's  Report  entitled  "Vir 
ginia's  Part  in  the  Resolution  of"  &c. — Editor's  Note.] 


COLUMBIA  PHONOGRAPH  CO. 
Printing  Department. 

BRIDGEPORT,  CONX.,  March  1,  1909. 
DEAR  MRS.  BEIIAN: 

Many  thanks  for  your  letter.  From  the  enclosed  cutting  from 
the  Washington  Star  you  will  see  how  the  whole  effort  in  which 
you  and  your  associates  were  engaged,  in  1907,  was  headed  off  by 
Major  Cosby,  who  twisted  things  to  suit  his  purpose,  and  the  tenor  of 
whose  report  was  clearly  hostile  to  the  restoration  of  Mr.  Davis* 
name.  This  report  seems  to  have  been  sufficient  to  satisfy  Secretary 
Taft  that  there  was  no  use  of  doing  anything.  But  Secretary  Wright 
seems  to  have  had  an  inspiration  to  take  matters  up  with  the  Presi 
dent,  as  a  result  of  which  in  about  fifty  years  from  the  date  of  the 


60 

outrage,  tardy  justice  will  be  done  to  one  of  the  greatest  of  Amer 
icans,  whatever  the  differing  judgment  of  North  and  South  may  be 
as  to  his  construction  of  tne  Constitution  as  to  States'  Rights. 

Very  truly  yours, 

W.  P.  PHILLIPS. 


[The  Evening  Star,  Washington,  D.  C.] 
RESTORES  DAVIS'  NAME. 

President  Orders   It   Put   Back  On   Cabin   John    Bridge — Cut   Out 
During    War — Erased    From   Tablet   By   Official   Order,    It 
Is  Said.      No   Record    Ever   Found.    To-day's  Ac 
tion    Result   of  Years   of   Effort   On    Part 
Of     Southerners.      Maj.     Cosby's 
Adverse  Report. 

"The  Secretary  of  War,  by  direction  of  the  President,  has 
instructed  the  chief  of  engineers,  United  States  Army,  to  take 
the  necessary  steps  to  restore  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  as 
Secretary  of  War  to  Cabin  John  Bridge." 

The  above  brief  but  significant  memorandum  was  given  to 
the  press  at  •  the  office  of  Secretary  Wright  in  the  War  De 
partment  to-day.  It  marks  the  triumph  of  the  persistent  and 
long  continued  efforts  of  the  Southern  people  to  remedy  what 
they  considered  a  blot  on  the  memory  of  the  President  of  the 
Confederate  States.  At  intervals  since  the  Civil  War  the  ques 
tion  of  restoring  the  name  to  its  former  place  on  the  bridge  has 
been  presented  to  Congress  and  the  President,  but  without 
avail  until  the  present  time. 

It  came  up  during  the  Cleveland  administration,  as  well  as 
before  and  since  that  time.  It  was  left,  however,  for  the  pres 
ent  War  Secretary — himself  a  Confederate  soldier — to  induce 
President  Roosevelt  to  order  the  restoration  of  the  name  so 
dear  to  the  Southern  part  of  a  reunited  country. 

Inscription  as  It  Stands. 

Cabin  John  Bridge  is  one  of  the  longest  and  most  imposing 
single-span  masonry  arches  in  the  world.  It  lies  on  the  con 
duit  road,  about  six  and  one-half  miles  northwest  of  the  Aque 
duct  Bridge,  and  was  built  to  carry  over  a  small  valley  the 
aqueduct  conveying  the  water  supply  of  Washington.  Two  in 
scribed  stone  tablets  are  built  onto  the  masonry  in  corre 
sponding  positions  on  the  south  sides  of  the  two  abutments. 
The  tablet  on  the  east  abutment  bears  the  following  inscrip 
tion: 

Union  arch. 

Chief  Engineer,   Capt.   Montgomery  C.   Meigs, 

U.  S.  Corps  of  Engineers. 

Esto  perpetua. 


61 


The  tablet  on  the  west  abutment  contains  the  following  in 
scription: 

Washington  Aqueduct. 

Begun   A.  D.    1853.     President  of  the  U.   S., 
Franklin  Pierce.     Secretary  of  War, 

— .    Building  A.  D.  1861. 

President  of  the  U.   S.,   Abraham  Lincoln, 
Secretary  of  War,  Simon  Cameron. 

The  blank  space  in  this  latter  inscription  originally  con 
tained  the  name  of  "Jefferson  Davis." 

Erased   in  1862. 

Although  it  is  still  a  matter  of  dispute,  it  is  generally  ac 
cepted  as  a  fact  that  the  name  was  cut  out  in  1862  by  order  of 
Caleb  Smith,  Secretary  of  the  Interior  (then  in  charge  or  tlie 
aqueduct  system),  at  the  suggestion  of  Representative  Galusha 
Grow,  of  Pennsylvania,  afterward  Speaker  of  the  House. 

The  most  recent  as  well  as  the  most  determined  effort  to 
ward  the  restoration  of  Jeff  Davis'  name  was  made  in  1907.  In 
that  year  the  Society  of  the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy,  at 
Richmond,  adopted  strong  resolutions  in  favor  of  the  restora 
tion  of  the  name,  and  W.  P.  Phillips,  W.  B.  Smith  and  other 
citizens  joined  %he  movement.  Representative  Adolph  Meyer, 
of  Louisiana,  since  deceased,  took  a  specially  active  part  in  the 
matter  and  induced  the  Secretary  of  War  (Mr.  Taft)  to  have 
the  matter  thoroughly  investigated. 

Maj.  Cosby's  Report. 

Maj.  Spencer  Cosby,  Engineer  Commissioner  of  the  District, 
was  in  charge  of  the  Washington  aqueduct  system  at  that  time. 
He  made  an  examination  of  all  available  records  and  made  a 
full  report  of  his  researches  in  July,  1907. 

After  giving  a  short  history  of  the  bridge  and  telling  of  the 
erasure  of  Jefferson  Davis'  name,  Maj.  Cosby  summarized  his 
report  as  follows: 

"While  I  have  been  able  to  find  nothing  in  the  official  records 
as  to  the  erasure  of  this  name,  it  is  understood  that  it  was  cut 
out  in  1862  at  the  order  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  under 
whose  department  the  aqueduct  had  at  that  time  been  placed. 

"In  view  of  the  name  given  the  arch  and  inscribed  on  the 
corresponding  panel  of  the  opposite  abutment,  the  replacing  of 
the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  at  this  time  would  partake  of  a  certain 
grim  irony  which  would  mar  what  otherwise  might  seem  a  gra 
cious  act.  The  policy  of  such  an  act  is  not  thought  to  be  a 
proper  matter  for  discussion  in  this  report. 

Not  Secretary  at  the  Time. 

"The  argument  of  Mr.  Phillips  for  the  restoration  of  the  name 
of  Jefferson  Davis  loses  force  from  the  fact  that  he  is  mis 
taken  in  his  principal  point.  Jefferson  Davis  was  not  Secre 
tary  of  War  when  Cabin  John  Bridge  was  built,  and  I  can 
find  nothing  in  our  records  to  show  that  he  ever  saw  or  approved 
the  plans  for  that  structure.  He  was  Secretary  of  War  when 


work  on  other  parts  of  the  aqueduct  was  started,  in  1853,  but 
the  plans  which  he  then  recommended  for  approval  showed  a 
bridge  of  five  arches  over  Cabin  John  Valley.  The  actual  con 
struction  work  on  the  bridge  was  begun  in  1857,  shortly  after 
Mr.  Davis  ceased  to  be  Secretary  of  War. 

"Many  of  the  drawings  and  estimates  made  during  the  early 
period  of  the  construction  of  Cabin  John  Bridge  bear  the  name 
of  Alfred  L.  Rives  as  assistant  or  division  engineer,  in  addition 
to  that  of  M.  C.  Meigs  as  chief  engineer.  It  does  not  appear 
that  Mr.  Rives'  name  was  ever  placed  on  the  tablet  at  Cabin 
John  Bridge,  although  it  is  engraved  with  that  of  five  other  as 
sistant  engineers  in  the  gatehouse  at  Great  Falls.  It  has  been 
stated  that  it  was  the  intention  of  Capt.  Meigs  to  have  Mr. 
Rives'  name  placed  on  the  bridge,  but  that  he  changed  his  mind 
when  Mr.  Rives  left  the  work  in  1861,  when  it  was  only  par 
tially  completed. 

"At  the  present  time  it  is  not  usual  to  place  the  names  of 
public  officials  upon  structures  erected  by  the  engineer  depart 
ment.  If  it  is  decided  to  have  any  names  inscribed  on  Cabin 
John  Bridge  there  are  many  Presidents,  Secretaries  of  War, 
chief  engineers  and  assistant  engineers  whose  names  it  might 
be  claimed  should  be  among  those  selected." 

[Should  read  "Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association" 
wherever  printed  "Daughters  of  Confederacy."} 


HOUSE  OP  REPRESENTATIVES,  U.   S. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  March  9,  1909. 

MBS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  President  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

Dear  Madam, — I  am  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  27th  ultimo, 
and  assure  you  that  I  am  very  much  elated  at  the  order  of  President 
Roosevelt.  He  has  done  his  duty,  and  is  entitled  to  the  credit.  I 
feel  confident  that  I  could  have  passed  my  bill  through  Congress, 
but  as  it  was  results  we  were  after  rather  than  anything  else,  I  am 
extremely  glad  to  have  the  matter  settled  in  so  satisfactory  a  way. 

Very  truly  yours, 

C.  C.  CARLIN. 


STATE    OF    ALABAMA. 
Department  of  Archives  and  History. 
THOMAS  M.  OWEN.  LL.  D.  DIRECTOR. 

MONTGOMERY,  March  10,  1909. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

I    wish    to    most    heartily    felicitate    you    and    the    Confederated 
Southern   Memorial   Association   on   the   success  of  your  agitation   to 


63 

secure  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the  tablet  on 
Cabin  John  Bridge.  All  Confederate  organizations  must  rejoice  in 
this  act  of  simple  justice  on  the  part  of  the  Federal  Government. 
Slowly  and  yet  surely  both  history  and  public  sentiment  are  coming 
to  a  right  appreciation  of  the  historic  contentions  of  the  South,  and 
I  confidently  look  for  the  time  when  the  North  will  join  us  in 
doing  honor,  not  only  to  the  principles  for  which  our  fathers  fought, 
but  also  to  the  men,  both  of  high  and  low  rank,  who  so  nobly  and 
bravely  battled  for  these^  rights. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain  with  sincere  esteem, 

Very  respectfully,  THOS.  M.  OWEN. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  New  Orleans,  La. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTER  RECEIVED  FROM  MAJOR  JOHX  J.  HOOD,  OF  JACKSON, 

Miss. 

March  15,  1909. 
MRS.  W.   J.   BEHAN,  New  Orleans: 

My  Esteemed  Friend, — I  congratulate  you  most  sincerely  on  the 
success  you  had  with  your  laudable  and  strenuous  effort  to  have  the 
name  of  our  great  chieftain  restored  on  the  tablet  on  Cabin  John 
Bridge.  It  was  doing  justice  to  Mr.  Davis  as  an  able  and  honored 
servant  of  the  Government  and  was  but  perpetuating  an  historical 
fact — and  it  carries  with  it  the  order  to  restore  a  graceful  sentiment 
of  reconciliation,  that  though  seemingly  of  little  significance  to  the 
powers  that  be.  means  a  great  deal  to  us. 

As  the  "Star,"  of  Meridian,  Miss.,  well  says:  "It  was  well  done,"  it 
was  a  timely  and  appropriate  thing  to  do,  and  will  be  recognized  and 
appreciated  by  the  people  of  the  South  as  a  silent  renunciation  (by 
Roosevelt)  of  a  mistaken  view  formerly  held  of  the  character  of  one 
of  the  greatest  Americans  who  ever  lived."  *  *  *  The  restoration  of 
the  name  now  stands  a  towering  monument  to  him  and  to  acknowl 
edgment  of  his  greatness;  so  after  all,  the  Government  is  the  honored 
one,  for  his  name  and  fame  were  not  born  to  die! 

With  thanks  for  courtesies,  with  renewed  congratulations,  and  with 
sentiments  of  high  esteem,  I  am,  madam. 

Cordially  and  sincerely  your  friend, 

JNO.  J.  HOOD. 


ATLANTA,  GA.,  March  26,  1909. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  President  C.  S.  M.  A.: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Behan. — I  have  no  need  to  assure  you  of  my  great 
pleasure  in  having  been  permitted  to  have  association  with  you  so 
many  years  in  the  successful  efforts  to  maintain  the  truth,  the  dig- 


64 

nity  and  the  honor  of  our  Confederate  movement.  That  movement  by 
a  great,  intelligent,  patriotic,  Christian  people  is  uplifted  loftily  above 
all  the  political,  personal,  ambitious,  commercial,  selfish  movements 
in  all  history. 

The  fame  of  the  President  and  the  great  leaders  is  recognized  by 
every  fair  patriot  in  all  the  world,  I  am  almost  ready  to  say,  in  quot 
ing  the  notable  petition  of  a  great  old  man,  "Now  let  thy  servant  de 
part  in  peace."  But,  alas,  not  quite  yet.  I  want  to  live  a  few  years 
more  to  enjoy  with  our  whole  country  the  tfervest  and  bright  results 
of  the  controversy  we  have  had  with  those  of  our  countrymen  who 
were  so  hard  to  convince. 

As  a  present  duty  which  we  owe  to  the  country  we  must  follow  at 
once  in  the  best  spirit  the  suggestions  which  the  restored  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  on  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  make  to  the  world.  That 
apparently  small  event  marks  far  more  than  even  a  grand  Southern- 
built  monument.  I  do  not  mean  that  we  should  exult  in  a  triumph 
over  foes  in  this  restoration  of  the  words  "Jefferson  Davis"  upon 
Cabin  John  Bridge;  but  that  we  should  appreciate  the  act  in  the  right 
spirit  and  with  suitable  expressions.  I  desire  that  the  quiet  work  of 
the  Southern  women  in  this  matter  should  be  told  by  whoever  is 
selected  to  speak  of  it  before  U.  C  V.  convention  at  an  appro 
priate  half  hour. 

Further,  we  must  put  our  countrymen  in  possession  of  the  personal, 
patriotic,  historical  character  of  Jefferson  Davis — I  emphasize  the 
importance  of  this  information  as  being  greater  than  even  the  building 
of  monuments  to  his  memory.  We  must  build  the  monuments  but  we 
must  not  leave  them  alone  to  speak  for  him  and  us.  We  must  place 
him  in  fame  for  his  splendid  personal  attributes — his  extraordinary 
patriotic  career — his  wonderful  patience  in  suffering  through  a  long 
life,  etc.  We  must  place  him  alongside  our  revolutionary  heroes — our 
Washington,  Jefferson,  John  Adams — alongside  our  Presidents,  our 
statesmen  of  the  middle  period— alongside  President  Lincoln  as  he  is 
portrayed  to-day — Why  not?  What  is  there  left  in  the  life  of  Jefferson 
Davis  for  any  man  to  condemn? 

Let  his  portrait  be  as  widely  distributed  as  the  portrait  of  any 
other  great  man.  Let  our  school  books  contain  eulogies  of  Jefferson 
Davis  as  well  as  eulogies  of  President  Lincoln.  Let  extracts  from 
his  speeches  be  used  by  our  young  boys  in  their  declamations.  In 
short,  let  us  do  for  him  whatever  we  do  to  make  future  generations 
remember  any  other  great  man. 

Well,  Mrs.   Behan,   I   find   that  I  have  been   carried   away  out  of 


65 

all   discretion    in    writing  this   long   letter.      Forgive   me;    I    will    not 
treat   you    so   any    more. 

Faithfully  your  friend, 

CLEMENT  A.   EVANS. 


ATLANTA,  GA.,  March  29,  1909. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEIIAX,  New  Orleans: 

I  write  an  immediate  answer  to  your  letter  because  I  am  always 
glad  to  be  in  co-operation  with  your  good  work. 

I  am  delighted  by  the  fact  that  you  will  file  your  report  with  Gen'l 
Mickle,  who  will  be  glad  to  bring  it  to  my  notice  at  the  proper  time 
during  the  Reunion. 

I  repeat  that  we  must  hold  up  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  in 
high  honor  just  as  he  well  deserves.  The  country  is  getting  in  frame 
of  mind  to  appreciate  our  noble  President. 

With  the  most  affectionate  regard  for  you,  I  am, 

Your  friend, 

CLEMENT  A.   EVANS. 


ATLANTA,  April  3,  1909. 
MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

Your  approval  of  my  suggestion  as  to  the  action  of  the  U.  C.  V. 
in  noticing  the  replacing  of  the  name  "Jefferson  Davis"  on  Cabin 
John  Bridge  is  very  gratifying.  We  are  under  certain  obligations  in 
this  matter — and  what  we  do  must  be  done  delicately — Southern-like — 
unanimously  and  patriotically.  I  know  that  all  this  will  be  con 
sidered.  The  meaning  of  that  restoration  is  that  Jefferson  Davis 
himself  is  no  longer  looked  upon  as  being  sectionally  or  nationally 
persona  non  grata.  Hereafter  he  will  be  viewed  on  his  merits,  and 
they  are  sufficient  to  place  him  among  the  notable  great  statesmen 
of  his  period.  Your  suggestion  of  Col.  Hudson  or  Col.  Guion  as 
suitable  to  make  the  important  short  speech  suits  me  fully.  I  will 
suggest,  however,  that  Col.  Guion  has  been  selected  or  at  least  sug 
gested  to  make  the  speech  when  the  Vicksburg  National  Park  and  our 
Southern  Monument  there  and  particularly  just  now  the  bronze  statue 
of  General  S.  D.  Lee  shall  be  reported  on.  In  connection  with  that 
park  and  Shiloh  park,  as  well  as  the  general  monument  matters,  I 
think  that  Col.  Guion  should  appropriately  speak  at  that  hour  with 
others.  Consult  with  General  Mickle  and  have  the  arrangements  made. 

Anticipating  great  pleasure  in  meeting  you  at  Memphis,  I  am, 
Your  faithful  friend, 

CLEMENT  A.   EVANS. 


66 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  April  9,  1909. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEIIAN,  New  Orleans,  Louisiana: 

Dear  Madam, — I  herewith  enclosed  you  article  published  in  the 
Evening  Star  of  a  few  days  ago,  which  will  give  you  full  information 
with  reference  to  the  matter  about  which  we  have  been  corresponding. 

Very  truly  yours,  C.  C.  CARLIN. 


TO  RESTORE  NAME  OF  DAVIS. 

Bids  Opened   for   Recarving   Cabin  John    Bridge  Tablet — Present 

Inscription  To  Be   Removed  and   New  Letters  To   Be 

Cut    In    The    Fresh    Surface. 

Proposals  were  opened  to-day  at  the  office  of  the  engineer  in 
charge  of  the  Washington  aqueduct  for  restoring  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  to  the  stone  tablet  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  six 
miles  west  of  the  city,  from  which  it  was  expunged  in  Presi 
dent  Lincoln's  administration.  The  name  is  to  be  restored  in 
accordance  with  orders  given  by  President  Roosevelt  on  Wash 
ington's  birthday,  less  than  two  weeks  before  he  left  the  office 
of  chief  executive.  Although  the  amount  of  work  to  be  done 
is  comparatively  small  and  the  cost  very  little,  yet  it  took  con 
siderable  time  to  get  the  orders  through  the  various  channels 
to  the  officer  directly  in  charge  of  the  work,  who  at  once  went 
about  completing  the  necessary  details.  The  bridge  is  a  high 
structure  and  considerable  scaffolding  has  had  to  be  erected 
where  the  mechanics  will  do  their  work. 

Culmination  of  Efforts. 

The  restoration  of  Mr.  Davis'  name  to  the  tablet  will  mark 
the  culmination  of  many  efforts  with  that  object  in  view,  which, 
however,  will  finally  be  accomplished  without  the  immediate 
appeal  of  any  organization  or  individual,  but  by  the  direct  orders 
of  Mr.  Roosevelt  himself.  An  allotment  of  $250  was  made  for 
the  work  by  the  engineer's  office.  The  specifications  asking  bids 
for  the  restoration  of  the  name  read  as  follows: 

"Restoring  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  on  the  granite  tablet 
on  the  west  abutment  of  Cabin  John  Bridge  by  removing  the  en 
tire  face  of  the  stone  about  five  by  eleven  feet  to  a  depth  ap 
proximately  one  inch  or  sufficient  to  form  a  new,  clean,  smooth 
bushed  surface  and  recutting  the  legend  now  upon  the  tablet 
with  the  addition  of  the  name  Jefferson  Davis  as  shown  upon 
the  rubbing  with  V-cut  letters.  The  present  ogee  marginal 
border  around  the  tablet  is  to  be  bushed  to  a  clean  bevel  cut 
one  and  one-half  inches  wide." 

The   Inscription. 

Two  stone  tablets  are  built  in  the  bridge,  one  on  each  abut 
ment  (south  face).  One  bears  the  inscription: 

Union  Arch, 

Chief  Engineer,  Capt.  Montgomery  C.  Meigs, 

U.  S.  Corps  of  Engineers. 

Esto  perpetua. 


BEGUN  A  U  185J  PRtSlOENT  OF  THt 
FRANKLIN    PIERCE      SECRETARY    OF    WAR 
JEFFERSON    DAVIS     BUILDING    A    0    186) 
PRESIDENT  OF  THE  U  S    ABRAHAM  LINCOLN 
SECRETARY    OF    WAR     SIMON     CAMERON 


J    8.   MORN:  ring  JLfTERSON    DAVIS' 

name  on  CABIN  JOHN  BRIDGE,  Ma>  14,  1909, 
WashingtoruD.  C 


67 

The  other: 

Washington  Aqueduct. 

Begun  A.  D.  1853. 
President  of  the  U.  S.,  Franklin  Pierce. 

Secretary  of  War.  -  , 

Building  A.  D.  1861. 

President  of  the  U.  S.,  Abraham  Lincoln, 
Secretary  of  War,  Simon  Cameron. 

The  blank  space  in  the  above  description  indicates  the  place 
formerly  filled  by  Mr.  Davis'  name.  Its  absence  from  the  tab 
let  all  these  years  has  always  stimulated  curiosity  on  the  part  of 
sightseers,  who  made  inquiries  as  to  why  the  space  was  blank 
and  whose  name,  if  any,  had  filled  it.  The  presence  of  the 
name  there,  as  an  army  officer  pointed  out  to-day,  will  put  Mr. 
Davis'  name-  in  the  same  category  as  the  others  now  on  the 
tablet,  which  because  of  its  comparatively  inconspicuous  posi 
tion  will  not  attract  the  attention  that  it  heretofore  has  and  will 
relieve  the  ubiquitous  guide  of  one  of  his  subjects  for  comment 
and  an  object  of  interest  to  be  pointed  out  to  tourists. 

It  will  probably  take  a  workman  two  weeks  to  do  the  work 
required  by  the  specifications.  The  use  of  the  "V"  shaped  let 
ters  to  be  chiseled  in  the  tablet  is  less  expensive  and  less  la 
borious  than  the  square  cut  letters  usually  adopted,  but  at  the 
same  time  they  are  conspicuous. 


[Washington  Post,  April  18,  1909.] 
SINGS  AS    HE  CHISELS. 

Stonecutter  Home  Puts   Love  Into   His  Task — Loyal  To   Memory 
Of  Davis — Mississippian  Tells  How   He  Long   Hoped   For  the 
Honor  of    Restoring   The    Name   of   Confederacy's    Lead 
er    To    Granite    Slab    on    Cabin    John    Bridge —    And 
His     Dream     Came     True — Back     to     Dixie. 

James  B.  Home,  native  son  of  Mississippi,  stonecutter  by 
trade,  loyal  to  the  lost  cause,  and  as  stout  of  heart  as  he  is  strong 
of  arm,  is  doing  a  labor  of  love  out  at  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and, 
incidentally,  making  for  James  B.  Home,  of  Moss  Point,  Miss., 
a  little  niche  in  the  hall  of  fame. 

For  several  hours  each  week  day  one  can  find  Mr.  Home, 
perched  high  up  on  a  frail  scaffold,  mall  and  chisel  in  hand, 
chipping  away  at  a  granite  slab,  with  one  end  in  view — to  re 
store  to  its  rightful  place  in  the  historic  tablet  on  the  historied 
span,  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis,  Secretary  of  War  when  work 
on  Cabin  John  Bridge  was  started  by  the  United  States  gov 
ernment. 

Asked  to  tell  something  about  the  lure  that  brought  him  to 
the  National   Capital,  here  to  ply   his  trade   on   one  job   alone, 
the  Missjssippian  said  while  seated  on  the  bank  by  the  side  of 
the  little  stream  the  bridge  so  proudly  spans: 
How   It  Came   About. 

"It  is  this  way.  There  isn't  anybody  but  my  old  lady  and  my 
self.  You  see  we  were  in  California  last  year  knocking  around. 
I  have  sort  of  retired,  and  we  wanted  to  go  there,  so  we  did. 
Well,"  here  Mr.  Home  plucked  a  blade  of  grass  meditatively, 


68 

"we  wanted  to  see  an  inauguration,  so  we  came  on  for  Taft's. 
It  was  just  after  we  had  gotten  here,  when  I  read  a  story  in  The 
Post  about  the  restoration  of  Jefferson  Davis'  name  on  the 
marble  slab,  and  I  said  to  my  old  lady,  said  I:  'I'm  going  to 
get  that  job  if  I  have  to  pester  the  whole  of  the  government  to 
do  it.' 

"But  wait  a  bit.  I'm  going  too  fast.  About  ten  or  fifteen 
years  ago,  when  I  was  working  down  in  Birmingham,  Ala.,  one 
day  I  read  in  one  of  the  papers  an  article  about  this  bridge,  and 
how  the  name  of  Davis  had  been  taken  off.  I  was  nothing  but 
a  boy  when  the  Civil  War  was  going  on,  but  we  all  down  there 
were  mighty  hot  at  having  the  name  taken  off,  anyhow,  and  I 
had  heard  of  it.  But  when  I  read  that  article  I  said  to  my  old 
lady,  said  I:  'I  sure  would  like  to  have  the  job  of  putting  that 
name  back  on  there,  and,  by  George,  if  it  ever  is  going  to  be  put 
back  I'll  do  it.' 

Glad  He  Rer.d  The  Post. 

"Well,  I  didn't  see  any  prospect  of  its  ever  being  put  back 
on,  till,  as  I  said,  I  came  here.  You  may  just  reckon  I  was  some 
glad  to  read  tha^  story  in  The  Post.  Then  I  learned  there  were 
going  to  be  bids  made  on  it.  So  I  filled  out  a  blank.  I  reckoned 
on  most  all  of  the  others  bidding  at  about  $200  or  $250,  so  I 
said  to  myself,  for  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  thing  I'll  go  lower, 
so  down  I  put  $210. 

"Well,  then  it  came  out  as  to  how  the  bids  had  gone.  Shelton 
&  Co.  had  bid  $147.  Now,  you  know,  I  was  knocked  out.  I  said 
to  my  old  lady,  said  I,  'I'll  bet  I  lose.'  Well,  you  know,  after 
having  wanted  for  fifteen  years  to  have  my  wish  it  was  mighty 
hard  to  give  up  then.  But  I  got  an  idea.  I  went  to  the  Shelton 
place,  and  I  saw  Mr.  Shelton.  'Mr.  Shelton,'  said  I,  'I  sure  do 
want  to  put  Davis'  name  back  on  the  slab  at  Cabin  John  Bridge, 
Now,  what's  going  to  be  done?  Can  I  come  and  work  for  you?' 

"  'Sure,'  said  Mr.  Shelton.  Well,  we  started  out,  and  I  was  to 
work  by  the  day.  Then  he  found  out  he  was  losing  money,  and 
so  I  said,  'Here,  I'll  take  the  thing.'  So  I  did.  Of  course,  the 
contract  is  in  Shelton's  name,  but  I'm  doing  the  job. 

"Some  Work,"  Says  Home. 

"You  know  there's  some  work  on  that  thing.  It  isn't  just 
putting  the  name  in.  Lord  bless  you  no,  child!  That  whole 
thing  has  to  be  leveled  off,  first  with  one  kind  of  tool,  and  so 
on  through  four.  Then  the  whole  tablet  has  to  be  all  re-lettered. 
But  I'll  tell  you  what.  You  know  I  have  to  be  through  by  May 
15th.  I'm  going  to  knock  that  in  the  collar  and  finish  it  be 
tween  the  10th  and  that  time. 

"I've  done  lots  of  jobs,"  said  Home,  "but  this  one  sure  is  to 
my  liking.  You  know,  I'm  an  orphan,  and,  as  I  said,  there  is 
no  one  in  our  family  but  my  old  lady  and  me.  But  I  have  a 
little  niece,  Bessie.  The  other  day  I  wrote  to  Bessie,  and  I 
said,  said  I,  'Bessie,  your  Uncle  Jim  is  sure  enough  putting 
those  letters  back  on  that  thing.'  And  when  I  get  through  I'm 
going  to  get  the  history  of  the  place,  take  some  pictures  of  the 
bridge,  and  then  go  home. 

"You  know,  my  old  lady  wants  me  to  settle  down,  and  for  us 


69 

to  live  here  in  Washington.  Now,  I  haven't  a  thing  against 
this  place.  But,  bless  you,  a  stonecutter  has  no  home.  Why, 
I've  followed  my  work  all  my  life.  I've  been  all  over  the  coun 
try — anywhere  the  work  was. 

Going    Back  to   Dixie. 

"And,  anyway,  when  I've  done  what  I  wanted  to  I'm  going 
back  to  my  home,  Moss  Point,  Miss.,  and  settle  down.  But  I 
sure  have  to  be  going  on  with  that  work  now." 

So  saying,  Mr.  Home  scrambled  up  the  bank,  over  the  single 
plank  that  stood  between  him  and  the  ground  many  feet  below, 
and  was  soon  safe  on  his  little  scaffold.  Suddenly  he  turned 
around. 

"Hi,  don't  you  all  want  a  piece  of  this?"  and  so  saying  he 
tossed  a  bit  of  the  granite  over  the  intervening  space,  the  val 
ley  reechoing  just  afterward  to  the  sound  of  his  chisel,  as  he 
plied  it,  a  song  on  his  lips. 


[Telegram.] 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  15,  1909. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  1207  Jackson  Ave.,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

Restoration  Davis  name  Cabin   John   Bridge  all   done  except  fin 
ishing  touches,  May  14.     Souvenirs  by  express. 

SAMUEL  E.  LEWIS,  M.  D. 
Chairman  Monumental  Committee  U.  C.  V. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  15,  1909.  5  P.  M. 
MY  DEAR  MBS.  BEIIAX: 

Your  telegram  received  this  A.  M.  Visited  Cabin  John  Bridge, 
and  went  on  scaffold  with  Mr.  Home.  Delivered  your  letter  to 
him.  He  had  received  none  of  your  former  communications.  Mr. 
Home  finished  the  cutting  all  the  letters  of  the  new  inscription  yes 
terday.  He  is  now  going  over  his  work,  doing  the  finishing  touches 
here  and  there,  as  may  be  necessary  to  make  his  work  smoother  and 
more  nearly  perfect.  He  promised  that  he  would  write  yfcu  to 
morrow.  I  brought  home  with  me  from  the  scaffold  the  fragments  of 
stone  which  I  send  herewith.  Mr.  Home  presented  me  with  the  en 
closed  photo  taken  yesterday,  when  he  was  completing  the  name 
of  Mr.  Davis,  and  I  turn  it  over  to  you.  I  telegraphed  you  immediately 
upon  my  return  to  the  city.  Yours  sincerely, 

SAMUEL  E.  LEWIS,  M.  D. 
Chairman  Monumental  Com.  U.  C.  Veterans. 


[From  Washington-Post,  May  16,  1909.] 

MUST  FINISH  WORK  IN  WEEK 

Contract  for  restoring  Davis'   Name  on  Bridge  extended. 
Maj.  J.  J.  Morrow,  the  engineer  officer  in  charge  of  the  Washington 


70 

Aqueduct,  has  extended  for  one  week  the  time  to  complete  the  work  of 
restoring  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  on  the  stone  tablet  at  Cabin 
John  Bridge. 

The  contract  called  for  the  work  to  be  finished  yesterday,  but  it 
is  understood  that  bad  weather  interfered  with  its  progress. 


DEAR  MRS.   BEIIAN:  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  16,  1909. 

I  telegraphed  you  yesterday  the  exact  fact.  The  lettering  of  the 
entire  inscription  is  all  cut — was  finished  in  the  cutting  Friday  May 
14th.  The  only  remaining  work  to  be  done  is  to  put  on  the  finishing 
touches,  so  that  all  letters  and  the  entire  surface  shall  be  as  smooth  as 
possible.  To  do  this  finishing  will  require  several  more  days.  Mr. 
Home  told  me  yesterday  that  even  that  would  be  done  by  next 
Thursday. 

The  souvenirs  by  express  probably  were  not  called  for  at  the 
agency  last  evening  and  may  not  go  forward  till  Monday.  In  the 
same  box  is  a  short  statement  letter.  Sincerely  yours, 

SAMUEL  E.  LEWIS,  M.  D. 
Chairman    Monumental    Com.    U.    C.    V. 

N.  B.— Remember  that  yesterday  the  15th  I  myself  was  on  the 
scaffold  with  Mr.  Home  and  saw  his  entire  work,  and  that  I  saw 
that  all  the  letters  of  the  entire  inscription  were  already  cut. 

SAMUEL  E.  LEWIS,  M.  D. 


NEW  ORLEANS,   LA.,  May  17,   1909. 
HON.  J.  M.  DICKINSON.  Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir. — The  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  Committee  appointed  by  the 
President  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  at  its 
Convention  in  Richmond,  Va.,  June,  1907,  most  respectfully  request 
information  from  the  Department  of  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  War  as  to 
the  progress  being  made  in  the  work  of  restoring  the  name  Jefferson 
Davis  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  Washington,  D.  C.  The  chairman  of 
the  committee  will  appreciate  advice  from  the  War  Department  when 
the  restoration  is  completed.  Very  respectfully, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  President. 
Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association. 


[Telegram.] 

RICHMOND,  VA.,  May  20,  1909. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEIIAN,  1207  Jackson  Ave.,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

Yours  seventeenth  received.     Congratulations  on  your  grand  work 
restoration  name  Jefferson  Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge. 

MRS.  J.  EXDERS  ROBINSON, 
Virginia  Committee. 


71 

UNITED    STATES    ENGINEER'S    OFFICE. 
920  Seventeenth  Street,  N.  W. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  21,  1909. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  Pres't  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association. 
Chairman  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee. 

1207  Jackson  Avenue,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

Dear  Madam, — Your  letter  of  the  17th  inst,  addressed  to  the  Sec 
retary  of  War,  requesting  information  as  to  the  progress  being  made  in 
the  work  of  restoring  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  on  Cabin  John 
Bridge  has  been  referred  to  this  office  for  reply. 

I  have  to  advise  that  the  work  was  completed  on  the  19th  inst. 
Very  respectfully, 

JNO.   J.   MORROW, 
Major,  Corps  of  Engineers. 


[This  circular  letter  to  each  member  of  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  Com 
mittee,  relieving  them  from  further  duty.] 

MRg    NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  May  21,  1909. 

The  members  of  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee  are  congratulated 
on  the  success  of  their  patriotic  efforts  to  have  the  name  of  Jeffer 
son  Davis  restored  to  its  former  place  on  the  tablet  on  Cabin  John 
Bridge,  Washington,  D.  C. 

The  restoration  is  now  completed,  and  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  Com 
mittee  is  thanked  and  relieved  from  further  duty. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  President, 
Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Ass'n;  Chairman  Cabin  John  Bridge. 


[Extract  from  letter  from  Mr.  J.  B.  Home,  of  Moss  Point,  Miss.,  who 
re-carved  the   name  Jefferson  Davis  on   Cabin   John  Bridge.] 

MBS.  W.  J.  BEHAN:  WASHINGTON.   D.   C.,   May   24,   1909. 

Dear  Madam,— Your  kind  letter  of  the  19th  came  to  hand  to-day. 
I  received  a  splendid  letter  to-day  from  Mrs.  Hayes,  which  I  shall 
hold  very  dear.  It  was  a  surprise  to  me,  and  contained  a  nice  present, 
which  came  in  good  time.  The  pieces  of  stone  that  I  sent  you  are 
from  around  the  space  where  Jefferson  Davis'  name  was  erased. 
You  will  notice  that  the  edge  is  dressed,  showing  the  depth  of  the 
panel.  I  could  not  get  off  a  very  large  piece,  as  it  was  so  hard.  I 
have  a  large  piece  that  came  from  between  the  A  and  R  in  the  word 
WAR,  as  Secretary  of  War,  and  several  smaller  pieces  from  the  same 
line.  I  don't  know  yet  what  I  shall  do  with  the  tools;  would  like  to 
present  them  to  the  Museum  at  Richmond,  and,  if  I  am  successful  here, 
perhaps  will  at  their  next  meeting.  I  made  a  great  success  of  the 


72 

work  and  have  been  praised  by  people  from  all  over  the  country.     It 
was  a  terrible  strain  on  me,  but  I  am  resting  and  getting  ready  for 
the  struggle  again.    If  I  ever  get  back  I  will  surely  call  on  you,  and  let 
you  know  that  there  are  some  men  still  living  that  never  forget. 
Hoping  that  the  souvenirs  will  reach  you,  I  am, 

Very  truly  yours, 
304  Indiana  Ave.,  Washington,  D.  C.  J.  B.   HORNE. 


[Letter  from  Lieut.  Gen'l  C  IRVINE  WALKER,  Army  Northern  Virginia. 

Department  U.  C.  V.] 
ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA  DEPARTMENT 

United  Confederated  Veterans, 
Lieut.  Gen'l  C.  IRVINE  WALKER,  Commanding. 
MY  DEAK  MRS.  BKHAX:  CHARLESTON,  S.  C.,  May  25,  1909. 

Yours  of  22d  inst.  to  hand.  I  certainly  do  rejoice  with  and  add 
my  congratulations  that  the  splendid  work  that  you  advise  me  of  has 
been  completed.  I  think  we  have  many  evidences  that  the  harsh 
feelings  and  bitterness  engendered  by  the  war,  are  passing  away.  It 
is  a  fortunate  provision  of  an  all-wise  Providence  that  the  gentle  in 
fluence  of  time  removes  many  of  the  acerbities  of  life.  You  and  I 
are  fortunate  to  have  lived  to  see  this,  and  to  see,  what  is  more  remark 
able,  that  even  our  quondam  enemies  are  doing  justice  to  our  mag 
nificent  struggle  for  liberty. 

I  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  often  at  the  Memphis 
Reunion.  With  all  good  comradely  love, 

I  am,  most  sincerely, 

C.   IRVINE  WALKER. 


[New    Orleans,   Daily   Picayune,    May   30,    1909.] 

JEFFERSON    DAVIS'    NAME    RESTORED   ON    CABIN 

JOHN    BRIDGE. 

Work  Completed   and    Name   of   Great   Southern    Leader  Chiseled 

on  Tablet  May  14th,  by  Captain  James  B.   Home,  of 

Moss  Point,   Miss. 

The  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  has  been  restored  to  Cabin  John 
Bridge,  Washington,  D.  C.  The  last  letter  was  cut  May  14th, 
and  the  work  is  now  complete. 

Back  of  this  restoration  is  a  story  of  rare  interest  to  the 
whole  South.  Coming  just  at  this  time  it  will  be  of  special 
interest  because  on  June  3d,  next  Thursday,  the  anniversary  of 
the  birth  of  Jefferson  Davis  will  be  observed  with  the  usual 
Memorial  Day  services  and  paying  honor  to  the  memory  of 
sacred  dead. 

Jefferson  Davis  was  Secretary  of  War  in  1853,  during  the  ad 
ministration  of  Franklin  Pierce.  This  celebrated  bridge,  a 
great  engineering  problem,  was  constructed  during  the  ad- 


73 

ministration  of  Secretary  of  War  Davis.  His  name  was  placed 
upon  the  tablet.  In  1862,  after  the  War  of  the  States  had 
broken  out,  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  was  ordered  stricken 
off.  It  was  erased  with  a  chisel  and  the  blank  space  has  re 
mained  there  until  now  restored. 

To  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  belongs 
the  credit  of  having  originated  the  project  to  secure  a  resto 
ration  of  the  name  and  having  kept  after  it  with  unfailing  en 
ergy  until  it  was  done.  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  1207  Jackson  Avenue, 
this  city,  is  President  of  the  Association.  She  is  now  serving 
her  third  term  as  President  and  in  her  tenth  year.  It  was  at 
the  Convention  in  Richmond,  Va.,  in  June,  1907,  that  the  move 
ment  to  have  this  respect  and  honor  shown  the  memory  of  the 
former  great  Confederate  chieftain  originated. 

Along  with  the  patriotic  direction  of  the  movement  by  the 
Ladies'  Confederated  Association  must  be  mentioned  the  story 
of  heroism  and  patriotism  of  Captain  James  B.  Home,  of  Moss 
Point,  Miss.,  who  has  performed  the  mechanical  work  of  re 
storing  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis.  Mr.  Home  is  a  stonecut 
ter  by  trade,  of  Moss  Point.  When  the  project  had  reached  the 
point  of  having  the  tablet  resurfaced  and  the  name  re-entered 
upon  it,  Mr.  Home  left  Moss  Point  and  went  to  Washington  to 
secure  the  contract. 

"Not  for  what  there  is  in  it,  but  for  the  love  of  my  South 
land  and  to  be  able  to  perform  this  little  service  in  memory  of 
Jefferson  Davis,"  was  the  sentiment  expressed  by  Mr.  Home 
as  he  took  the  train  for  the  National  Capital. 

When  it  came  to  letting  the  contract,  the  firm  of  J.  H.  Shel- 
ton  &  Son,  of  Washington,  underbid  the  stonecutter  of 
Mississippi  and  secured  the  contract  for  $147.  Mr.  Home  was 
sorely  disappointed.  He  left  his  home  in  Moss  Point  with  this 
one  object  in  view.  Determined  to  do  the  work  at  all  hazards 
before  ever  returning  to  his  native  State,  Captain  Home  went 
to  the  contractors  and  offered  to  do  the  work  for  most  noth 
ing  just  to  have  the  honor.  He  was  given  the  job. 

"It  was  a  labor  of  love,"  wrote  Mr.  Home  to  Mrs.  Behan 
a  few  days  ago,  "but  I  feel  that  I  have  rendered  a  service  for 
my  people  which  nothing  else  could  satisfy.  I  shall  keep  the 
tools  with  which  this  work  has  been  done,  twenty-four  chisels 
and  a  hammer,  and  they  shall  never  be  used  on  another  job 
if  I  can  prevent  it." 

Dr.  Samuel  E.  Lewis,  Chairman  of  the  Monumental  Commit 
tee,  U.  C.  V.,  wired  Mrs.  Behan  from  Washington  on  May  15th, 
as  follows:  "Restoration  of  Davis'  name  Cabin  John  Bridge  all 
done  except  finishing  touches  May  14th.  Souvenirs  by  express." 

Mr.  Home  also  wrote  Mrs.  Behan  of  the  final  completion  of 
the  labor.  The  souvenirs  mentioned  consist  of  chips  from  the 
hard  granite,  while  carving  the  name  of  Davis. 

Captain  Home  and  his  wife  will  now  return  to  Moss  Point. 
He  wrote  a  letter  detailing  some  of  his  experiences  while  re 
storing  the  name.  He  referred  to  the  small  pay  and  the  diffi 
cult  undertaking.  Having  to  work  directly  in  front  of  him  he 
found  it  exceedingly  difficult.  Dr.  Gerald  Webb,  of  Colorado 
Springs,  who  had  married  into  the  Davis  family,  called  on  him 


74 


while  at  work.  Since  the  completion  Mr.  Home  has  received 
a  delightful  letter  from  Mrs.  Addison  Hayes,  the  only  sur 
viving  child  of  President  Davis. 

The  history  of  how  the  restoration  of  Davis'  name  was  ac 
complished  through  the  energies  of  the  Confederated  Southern 
Memorial  Association,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  President,  will  form 
an  interesting  bit  of  Confederate  history  in  years  to  come.  It 
was  at  the  Richmond  Convention  of  the  Association  in  1907 
that  the  first  steps  were  taken.  Mrs.  J.  Addison  Hayes,  of  Col 
orado  Springs,  being  present,  spoke  in  favor  of  the  movement. 
Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson,  a  delegate  from  the  Confederate  Me 
morial  Literary  Society,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  offered  the  following 
resolution: 

"Be  it  resolved,  That  we,  the  'Confederated  Southern  Memo 
rial  Association,'  in  convention  assembled,  in  the  city  of  Rich 
mond,  Va.,  on  this,  the  1st  day  of  June,  1907,  do  request  the 
United  States  Government  to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis 
restored  to  the  tablet  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  from  which  it 
was  removed  during  the  war." 

This  resolution  was  amended  by  adding,  "and  that  we  invite 
the  United  Confederate  Veterans  and  all  other  Confederate  or 
ganizations  to  unite  with  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial 
Association  in  its  effort  to  have  the  patriotic  and  historical  pur 
pose  accomplished  on  or  before  June  3,  1908." 

The  resolution,  as  amended,  was  unanimously  adopted.  The 
President  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association 
was  authorized  to  appoint  a  committee  to  work  in  this  con 
nection,  consisting  of  the  heads  of  Confederate  organizations 
and  delegates  to  this  Convention.  The  committee  consisted  of 
Hon.  Adolph  Meyer,  member  of  Congress  from  Louisiana;  Gen 
eral  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Commander-in-Chief,  U.  C.  V.;  Mrs.  Lizzie 
George  Henderson,  President  General,  U.  D.  C.;  Mr.  John  W. 
Apperson,  Commander-in-Chief,  U.  S.  C.  V.;  Mrs.  Geo.  S. 
Holmes,  President  Jefferson  Davis  Monument  Association;  Mrs. 
J.  Enders  Robinson  and  Mrs.  Alfred  Gray,  delegates  from  the 
Confederate  Memorial  Literary  Society,  Richmond,  Va.;  Miss 
M.  B.  Poppenheim,  delegate  from  the  Ladies'  Confederate  Me 
morial  Association,  Charleston,  S.  C.;  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  New 
Orleans,  Chairman.  Upon  her  return  to  New  Orleans  Mrs.  Be 
han  had  a  personal  interview  with  Mr.  Meyer,  who  expressed 
a  hearty  sympathy  with  the  movement  and  readily  consented 
to  take  charge  of  the  matter  in  the  name  of  the  Confederated 
Southern  Memorial  Association.  His  advice  was  to  be  patient, 
and  to  act  with  prudence,  that  the  matter  should  not  be  brought 
before  Congress,  but  that  it  be  left  with  the  President  or  the 
Secretary  of  War.  In  July,  1907,  Mr.  Meyer  wrote  Mrs.  Be 
han  as  follows:  "I  feel  confident  of  success,  a  confidence  war 
ranted  by  several  conferences  that  I  have  had  with  Secretary 
Taft." 

In  March,  1908,  Congressman  Meyer  died.  In  April  Mrs.  Be 
han  wrote  United  States  Senator  Murphy  J.  Foster,  request 
ing  him  to  take  up  the  matter  where  Mr.  Meyer  had  left  ofr. 
Mr.  Foster  accepted  the  task  and  took  up  the  matter  with  Sec 
retary  of  War  William  Howard  Taft  upon  his  return  from  the 


75 

Philippines.  Mrs.  Behan  wrote  Secretary  of  War  Taft,  to  his 
successor,  General  Luke  E.  Wright,  and  to  President  Roose 
velt.  Prompt  and  courteous  replies  were  received  which  gave 
her  every  encouragement.  General  B.  F.  Eshleman,  who  was  in 
Washington  on  business  in  December,  1908,  called  on  the  Sec 
retary  of  War,  who  promised  to  take  up  the  matter  with  Presi 
dent  Roosevelt.  Other  negotiations  continued  until  February, 
1909,  when  President  Roosevelt  issued  his  order  to  have  the 
name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  the  commemorative  tablet 
on  Cabin  John  Bridge.  There  was  great  rejoicing  in  Confed 
erate  circles,  and  Mrs.  Behan  sent  telegrams  of  thanks  to  the 
President,  Washington  officials,  and  other  interested  parties. 
By  this  act  President  Roosevelt  won  the  esteem  and  admira 
tion  of  all  fair-minded  persons  North  and  South.  Many  con 
gratulatory  letters  have  been  received  by  Mrs.  Behan,  and  she 
wishes  especially  to  thank  General  Clement  A.  Evans,  Com- 
mander-in-Chief,  U.  C.  V.;  Dr.  Thos.  M.  Owen,  Historian  Gen 
eral,  U.  S.  C.  V.;  Colonel  Lewis  Guion,  Chairman  of  History 
Committee,  Louisiana  Division,  U.  C.  V.;  Hon.  C.  C.  Carlin, 
Member  of  Congress  from  Virginia;  Major  John  J.  Hood,  of 
Jackson,  Miss.,  and  Mr.  Walter  P.  Phillip,  of  Bridgeport,  Conn., 
who  had  assisted  the  Committee  by  writing  a  personal  letter 
to  President  Roosevelt. 

General  Evans  wrote:  "The  replacing  of  Jefferson  Davis'  name 
means  more  than  the  building  of  a  monument  to  him." 

On  May  21,  1909,  of  the  current  month,  General  Clement  A. 
Evans,  General  Commanding,  issued  a  special  order,  No.  13,  in 
which  he  noted  the  restoration  of  the  Davis'  name  and  said: 

"By  this  restoration  an  act  of  justice  has  been  done  to  one 
of  America's  greatest  statesmen.  The  fact  is  in  itself  trivial, 
but  it  is  momentous  in  significance.  It  emphasizes  the  truth 
that  our  countrymen  will  recognize  worth;  that  Mr.  Davis,  who 
was  thoroughly  Southern  in  his  sentiments,  can  be  truly  valued 
by  those  wTho  were  once  his  enemies,  and  that  he  was  actu 
ated  by  lofty  motives  and  conceptions  of  duty,  as  were  other 
statesmen  and  soldiers  of  the  Confederacy. 

"It  is  possible  that  this  desirable  result  would  never  have 
been  reached  had  not  our  glorious  women  taken  the  matter  in 
hand  and  pushed  it  to  completion.  The  Confederated  Southern 
Memorial  Association  started  the  work  in  1907,  and  Mrs.  J. 
Enders  Robinson,  of  Richmond,  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  of  New 
Orleans,  assisted  by  the  U.  D.  C.  and  kindred  organizations  have 
the  thanks  of  all  Confederates  for  the  accomplishment  of  this 
work." 

On  May  17th,  of  this  month,  Mrs.  Behan  released  the  Com 
mittee  appointed  in  Richmond  in  1907,  and  extended  her  sin 
cere  congratulations  over  the  result.  The  Committee  consisted 
of  General  Clement  A.  Evans,  vice  General  Stephen  D.  Lee, 
deceased;  Mrs.  Cornelia  Branch  Stone,  vice  Mrs.  Lizzie  George 
Henderson,  retired;  Mr.  John  W.  Apperson,  Mrs.  George  S. 
Holmes,  Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson,  Mrs.  Alfred  Gray,  Miss  M.  B. 
Poppenheim,  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  United  States  Senator 
vice  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer,  deceased;  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  Chair 
man. 


76 

REPORT  OF   CHAIRMAN   CABIN  JOHN   BRIDGE    COMMITTEE — 

AT  MEMPHIS,  TENN.,  CONVENTION.  C.  S.  M.  A., 

JUNE  7-10,  1909. 

Tin;   XAMI-;  or   .Ii:i  i  KIJSO.N    DAVIS   RESTORED  TO  TABLET  ON   CABIN   JOHN" 

BRIIX;E. 

At  the  Annual  Convention  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Me 
morial  Association  held  in  Richmond,  Va.,  May  30-June  3,  1907, 
this  important  work  was  inaugurated.  On  June  1st,  Mrs.  J.  Enders 
Robinson,  a  delegate  from  the  Confederate  Memorial  Literary  So 
ciety  of  Richmond,  Va.,  offered  a  resolution  to  this  effect:  "That 
the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  take  the  neces 
sary  steps  to  have  the  United  States  Government  replace  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  on  the  tablet  of  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and  that  the 
United  Confederate  Veterans  and  all  other  Confederate  organizations 
be  invited  to  unite  with  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation  in  its  efforts  to  accomplish  this  patriotic  object.  The  Presi 
dent  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  was  au 
thorized  to  appoint  a  committee,  which  was  done,  and  the  commit 
tee  was  as  follows:  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer,  M.  C.  from  Louisiana; 
General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Mississippi;  Mrs.  Lizzie  George  Henderson, 
Mississippi;  Mr.  Jno.  W.  Apperson,  Tennessee;  Mrs.  J.  Enders 
Robinson,  Virginia;  Mrs.  Alfred  Gray,  Virginia;  Mrs.  Geo.  S.  Holmes, 
S.  Carolina;  Miss  Mary  B.  Poppenheim,  S.  Carolina;  Mrs  W.  J. 
Behan,  Louisiana,  chairman. 

Shortly  after  my  return  to  New  Orleans  from  Richmond,  I 
had  a  personal  interview  with  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer,  who  declared  him 
self  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  movement  and  promised  to  do  all 
in  his  power  to  bring  it  to  a  successful  issue.  In  July,  1907,  he  wrote 
as  follows:  "I  feel  satisfied  that  we  will  succeed  in  the  movement 
to  restore  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge — a  con 
fidence  warranted  by  the  results  of  several  conferences  I  have  had 
with  Secretary  of  War  Taft,  whose  voice  will  be  practically  potential 
in  the  matter.  However,  we  must  indulge  ourselves  in  patience  and 
proceed  tactfully,  in  order  to  meet  conditions  on  all  sides.  It  can 
not  be  forced  immediately." 

In  the  year  1908  it  became  necessary  to  change  the  personelle 
of  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee,  owing  to  the  death  of  Hon. 
Adolph  Meyer,  who  died  in  March,  1908,  and  of  General  Stephen  D. 
Lee,  who  departed  this  life  on  May  28th,  same  year.  Those  two 
vacancies  were  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster, 
IT.  S.  Senator  from  Louisiana,  to  succeed  Hon.  Adolph  Meyer;  and 
General  Clement  A.  Evans,  to  succeed  the  late  General  Lee.  Mrs. 
Henderson's  term  of  office  having  expired  in  December,  1907,  she  re- 


MRS.   W.  J.  BEHAX, 

The  President  of  the  Confederated  Southern   Memorial  Association, 
New  Orleans,  Louisiana. 


77 

signed;  aiid  her  successor,  Mrs.  Cornelia  Branch  Stone,  was  ap 
pointed  to  fill  the  place.  In  accepting,  Mrs.  Stone  expressed  thanks 
and  appreciation  for  the  appointment. 

From  the  start  to  the  finish  I  was  ever  on  the  alert,  studying 
the  best  policy  to  be  observed,  and  was  in  constant  correspondence 
with  the  officials  at  Washington,  D.  C.  Prompt,  courteous,  and  en 
couraging  replies  were  received  from  Hon.  W.  H.  Taft  while  he  was 
Secretary  of  War,  from  his  successor,  Hon.  Luke  E.  Wright,  and  His 
Excellency,  President  Roosevelt. 

Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson,  the  Virginia  member  of  the  com 
mittee  and  the  mover  of  this  patriotic  resolution,  rendered  valuable 
service.  It  was  through  her  efforts  that  we  succeeded  in  keeping  the 
matter  out  of  Congress. 

General  Clement  A.  Evans,  also  a  member  of  the  Cabin  John 
Bridge  Committee,  was  at  all  times  in  thorough  accord  with  me,  and 
was  confident  of  success.  He  reported  that  he  would  write  a  strong 
letter  to  Hon.  Luke  E.  Wright  "in  the  true  vein." 

During  the  month  of  December,  General  B.  F.  Eshleman,  a 
brave  and  gallant  officer  of  the  Washington  Artillery,  of  New 
Orleans,  was  called  to  Washington  on  business  and  at  my  request, 
he  called  on  President  Roosevelt  and  the  Secretary  of  War  in  the 
interest  of  this  important  movement.  He  found  the  latter  very 
favorably  disposed  and  received  assurances  from  him  that  the  matter 
would  be  taken  up  with  the  President  in  a  short  time. 

On  January  9,  1909,  the  following  letter  was  received  from 
Hon.  Luke  E.  Wright: 

MY  DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  21st  ultimo, 
in  regard  to  the  desire  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  As 
sociation  to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  Cabin 
John  Bridge.  I  shall  be  pleased  to  take  the  matter  up  with  the 
President  and  see  what  can  be  done. 

Sincerely  yours, 

LUKE  E.   WRIGHT. 

MRS.  W.  J.   BEIIAN,   President  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation,   New  Orleans. 


It  was  soon  after  this  date  that  President  Roosevelt  ordered 
Chief  Engineer  Marshall  to  have  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  re 
stored  to  the  commemorative  tablet  on  Cabin  John  Bridge  and 
directed  that  the  order  be  made  public  on  February  22d. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  in  all  Confederate  circles  when  this 
news  was  flashed  across  the  wires.  Thanks  were  sent  in  the  name  of 


78 

the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  to  President 
Roosevelt,  Hon.  Luke  E.  Wright,  and  Murphy  J.  Foster,  United 
States  Senator  from  Louisiana,  who  had  charge  of  the  matter  after 
the  death  of  Mr.  Meyer. 

By  this  act  ex-President  Roosevelt  has  written  his  name  in  im 
perishable  lines.  Congratulatory  letters  were  received  from  General 
Evans,  Commander-in-Chief,  United  Confederate  Veterans;  Col. 
Lewis  Guion,  chairman  of  the  History  Committee  of  the  Louisiana 
Division;  Mr.  Walter  L.  Phillips,,  of  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  who  had 
written  to  President  Roosevelt  asking  that  this  tardy  act  of  justice 
be  done  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis;  from  Dr.  Thos.  M.  Owen, 
Historian  General,  United  Southern  Confederate  Veterans;  Hon.  C. 
C  Carlin,  Member  of  Congress  from  Virginia,  and  others  who  were 
iii  sympathy  with  this  movement. 

General  Evans  wrote  as  follows:  "I  congratulate  you  with  all 
my  soul  on  your  success,"  and  closes  his  letter  by  saying,  "Thanking 
you  and  even  blessing  you  for  the  noble  measures  you  are  taking  to 
establish  whatsoever  is  right  in  Confederate  circles,  I  am, 

Your  friend   indeed,  "CLEMENT  A.  EVANS." 

On  May  15th  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  J.  B.  Home,  the  loyal 
and  patriotic  Mississippian  who  went  on  to  Washington  with  a  burn 
ing  desire  to  carve  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  in  its  original  place. 
Mr.  Home  sent  me  a  few  small  pieces  of  the  stone  that  he  chiseled 
off,  and  also  a  postcard  showing  him  on  the  scaffold,  carving  the 
letter  "s"  in  Davis.  From  Dr.  Sam'l  E.  Lewis,  Washington,  D.  C.% 
Chairman  Monumental  Committee  U.  C.  V.,  I  received  a  letter  dated 
May  16th  saying:  "The  letters  in  the  inscription  were  all  cut  yes 
terday.  I  was  on  the  scaffold  with  Mr.  Home  and  I  saw  that  all  the 
letters  of  the  entire  inscription  were  cut  on  May  14th." 

On  May  20th  a  telegram  was  received  from  Mrs.  J.  Enders 
Robinson  of  the  Virginia  committee,  saying:  "Congratulations  on 
your  grand  work,  restoration  name  Jefferson  Davis  to  Cabin  John 
Bridge." 


On  May  21,   1909,  the  following  letter  was  received  from  the 
War  Department: 

UNITED  STATES  ENGINEER  OFFICE. 
920   Seventeenth   St.   N.  W. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  21,  1909. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  President  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Asso 
ciation,    Chairman    Cabin    John    Bridge    Committee,    1207   Jackson 

Ave.,  New  Orleans,  La.: 
Dear  Madam. — Your  letter  of  the  17th  inst,  addressed  to  the  Sec- 


79 

retary  of  War,  requesting  information  as  to  the  progress  being 
made  in  the  work  of  restoring  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  on  Cabin 
John  Bridge,  has  been  referred  to  this  office  for  reply. 

I  have  to  advise  that  the  work  was  completed  on  the  19th  inst. 
Very  respectfully, 

JNO.  J.  MORROW, 
Major,  Corps  of  Engineers. 

Upon  receipt  of  this  document  the  following  notice  was  mailed 
to  the  several  members  of  the  committee: 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  May  21,  1909. 

The  members  of  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  Committee  are  con 
gratulated  on  their  success  of  their  patriotic  efforts  to  have  the 
name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  the  tablet  on  Cabin  John  Bridge, 
Washington,  D.  C.  The  object  of  the  committee  having  been  ac 
complished,  and  the  restoration  being  complete,  the  committee  is 
thanked  and  relieved  from  further  duty. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
President  C.  8.  M.  A.  and  Chairman  "Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee. 

Committee: — General  Clement  A.  Evens,  vice  General  Stephen 
D.  Lee,  deceased;  Mrs.  Cornelia  Branch  Stone,  vice  Mrs.  Lizzie 
George  Henderson,  retired;  Mr.  John  W.  Apperson;  Mrs.  George 
S.  Holmes;  Mrs.  J.  Enders  Robinson;  Mrs.  Alfred  Gray;  Miss  M. 
B.  Poppenheim;  Hon.  Murphy  J.  Foster,  U.  S.  Senator,  vice  Hon. 
Adolph  Meyer,  M.  C.,  deceased;  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  chairman. 

Our  recording  secretary  wrote  to  Mrs.  J.  Addison  Hayes,  the 
only  surviving  daughter  of  our  distinguished  chieftain,  conveying  to 
her  the  glad  tidings  that  the  restoration  of  the  name  or  Jefferson 
Davis  to  the  tablet  on  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  was  completed  on  May 
19,  1909.  On  June  5th  I  received  the  following  letter  from  Mrs.  Hayes, 
and  will  treasure  it  with  others  received  at  various  times  from  her 
dear  mother. 

NEAV  ORLEANS,  LA.,  May  29,  1909. 
MRS.  J.  Anmsox  HAYES,  Colorado  Springs,  Col.: 

Dear  Mrs.  Hayes, — I  am  directed  by  the  president,  Mrs.  W.  JL 
Behan,  to  advise  you  of  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  on  the  tablet  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  Washington,  D.  C.  The 
order  was  issued  by  President  Roosevelt,  February  22,  1909,  and 
the  contract  awarded  to  J.  H.  Shelton  &  Son,  Washington,  D.  C. 
The  actual  work  was  done  by  Mr.  James  Buchanan  Home,  a  true 
son  of  Mississippi,  who  proved  his  devotion  to  the  memory  of  your- 
distinguished  father  by  this  labor  of  love. 


80 

The  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  rejoices  in 
the  fact  that  you  were  present  at  the  Convention  in  Richmond,  Va., 
June,  1907,  when  the  resolution  was  adopted  asking  that  the  United 
States  Government  be  requested  to  restore  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  to  its  rightful  place  on  the  tablet  on  Cabin  John  Bridge. 

The  members  of  the  Association  congratulate  you  and  the 
American  people  on  this  truly  patriotic  and  noble  action  of  President 
Roosevelt,  which  will  serve  to  strengthen  our  love  for  this  glorious 
Republic. 

Very  respectfully, 

DAISY  M.  L.  HODGSON, 

Rec.  Sect'y  C.  8.  M.  A. 


COLORADO  SPRINGS.  COL.,  832  North  Cascade  Avenue,  June  3,  1909. 
DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

I  am  a  chronic  invalid  and  a  terrible  sufferer,  and  therefore 
write  very  seldom  and  very  little,  but  in  answer  to  Miss  Hodgson's 
kind  letter  about  Cabin  John  Bridge,  I  feel  I  must  thank  you  for 
the  noble  and  persistent  efforts  you  made;  and  to  you  1  feel  is  due 
the  restoration  of  my  father's  name  to  its  rightful  place.  *  *  * 
I  hope  you  are  all  well,  and  may  God  bless  you,  dear  loyal  friend 
that  you  have  been  to  my  beloved  father's  memory.  I  may  never  see 
you  again  in  this  life,  but  I  will  never  forget  all  you  have  done. 

My  greetings  and  best  wishes  to  the  members  of  the  Associa 
tion,  and  thanks  for  their  congratulations.  With  love  to  you  and 
yours,  Yours  faithfully, 

M.  H.  J.  D.  HAYES. 

While  it  has  been  stated  that  at  different  times  efforts  have  been 
made  to  have  this  act  of  justice  done — and  I  personally  am  aware 
that  Mr.  Walter  L.  Phillips,  of  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  and  Mrs.  Longen 
and  Mrs.  Field,  of  Missouri,  have  written  letters  to  Washington 
officials,  in  an  endeavor  to  have  the  name  restored — I  believe  I  can 
safely  assert,  however,  that  the  action  of  the  Confederated  Southern 
Memorial  Association  taken  in  Richmond,  Va.,  June  1,  1907,  at  its 
Eighth  Annual  Convention  was  the  first  organized  effort  to  have 
the  name  restored;  and  we  are  satisfied  that  it  was  through  our 
constant  and  unceasing  efforts  that  President  Roosevelt  was  induced 
to  issue  the  order  to  restore  the  name  to  its  rightful  place. 

We  are  deeply  grateful  to  all  who  assisted  in  this  grand  work, 
and  are  particularly  desirous  of  expressing  our  appreciation  of  the 
gracious  recognition  of  our  services  as  contained  in  General  Order 


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81 

No.  13,  issued  from  United  Confederate  Veteran  Headquarters,  and 
which  is  here  attached.         Respectfully  submitted, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
Chairman  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee. 

[EDITOR'S  NOTE. — The  C.  S.  M.  A.  regrets  that  the  letters  of  Mrs. 
Emma  Williamson,  Historian  of  the  "Joe  Desha  Chapter",  U.  D.  C., 
Cynthiana,  Kentucky,  received  August  1,  1909,  were  received  too 
late  to  be  mentioned  in  the  report  of  the  president  (and  chairman  of 
the  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee,  of  the  C.  S.  M.  A.),  to  the  C.  S. 
M.  A.  Convention,  in  Memphis,  June,  1909.  Mrs.  Williamson  sola 
forth  in  these  two  letters,  her  different  conversations  with,  and  ap 
peals  to  various  officials,  to  interest  them  in  the  restoration  of  Mi- 
Davis'  name.  These  letters  are  another  proof  of  the  general  desire 
to  have  the  name  restored.] 


[Memphis,  Tenn.,  June   19,  '09.] 
THANK   ROOSEVELT  AND   GEN.  WRIGHT. 

Memorial    Association    Acts — Appreciates    Restoration    of    Davis' 

Name  to  Cabin  John  Bridge — Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  for  Nine 

Years    President    of   the    Organization,    is    Again 

Honored   by  Unanimous  Vote — Official 

Badges  Adopted. 

Be  it  resolved,  That  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  As 
sociation,  in  convention  assembled,  do  hereby  extend  their  grate 
ful  and  heartfelt  thanks  to  ex-President  Theodore  Roosevelt 
and  to  ex-Secretary  of  War  Luke  E.  Wright  for  courtesy  shown 
to  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  in  restor 
ing  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge,  an  act 
of  justice  which  is  appreciated  by  a  united  country. 

As  a  heartfelt  expression  of  esteem  of  the  members  of  the 
Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  a  resolution  thank 
ing  ex-President  Theodore  Roosevelt  and  ex-Secretary  of  War 
Luke  E.  Wright  for  their  part  in  the  restoration  of  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge  in  the  city  of  WTash- 
ington,  D.  C.,  was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  tenth  annual  con 
vention  of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  as 
introduced  by  Mrs.  C.  B.  Bryan,  the  local  president,  in  the  after 
noon  session  yesterday,  and  a  copy  ordered  sent  to  those  two 
statesmen,  who  have  again,  after  long  and  valued  service,  en 
tered  the  ranks  of  public  spirited  citizens. 


82 


June  1,  1909. 

VIRGINIA'S    PART    IN    THE    RESTORATION    OF    THE    NAME    OF 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS  TO  THE  AQUEDUCT,  THE  CABIN 

JOHN    BRIDGE,    AT    WASHINGTON,    DISTRICT 

OF  COLUMBIA,  U.  S.  A. 

REPORT  OF  THE  VIRGINIA  COMMITTEE,  MRS.  J.  EIDERS  ROBINSON,  RICH 
MOND,  VIRGINIA. 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  President,  and  members  of  the  Confederated  South 
ern  Memorial  Association,  New  Orleans,  Louisiana. 

Ladies, — I  now  have  the  honor  to  report  Virginia's  part  in  the 
restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  its  place  on  the  famous 
Cabin  John  Bridge,  the  aqueduct  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Under  date  of  June  15,  1907,  our  president,  Mrs.  Behan,  notified 
me  of  my  appointment  to  the  C.  S.  M.  A.,  Cabin  John  Bridge  Com 
mittee.  I  accepted  at  once.  In  July,  1907,  Mrs.  Behan  appointed  the 
Louisiana  Congressman,  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer,  to  represent  the  C.  S.  M.  A. 
in  all  communications  with  the  United  States  Government  relating  to 
our  object  of  restoration. 

During  the  summer  of  1907,  through  correspondence  with  Mrs. 
Behan,  two  policies  were  decided  on  by  Mr.  Meyer,  General  Stephen 
D.  Lee,  Mrs.  Behan,  and  myself.  These  policies  were:  first  to  avoid 
all  newspaper  mention,  and  second,  to  ask  that  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis 
be  restored  by  a  Commission  of  the  War  Department.  We  decided 


83 

that  legislation  should  be  our  last  resort.     With  these  policies  clearly 
understood,  each  one  took  up  the  work  as  assigned. 

Within  my  jurisdiction  (Virginia),  there  was  little  to  do  until 
April,  1908.  During  that  month  I  learned  that  the  Honorable  C.  C. 
Carlin,  of  the  Eighth  Virginia  District,  had  introduced  a  bill  in  Con 
gress,  asking  why  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  had  been  erased  from 
the  bridge.  I  wrote  him  inquiring  if  this  was  true.  H'e  replied  as 
follows: 

April  28,    1908. 
MBS.  J.  E.  ROBINSON,  113  3d  St.,  South,  Richmond  Va.: 

Dear  Madam, — I  have  your  favor  of  the  22d  inst.,  and  for  your 
information  will  say  that  I  have  introduced  a  Resolution  inquiring 
as  to  the  reason  for  the  elimination  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis 
from  the  arch  at  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and  what  steps,  if  any,  have  been 
taken  to  restore  same.  It  is  my  purpose  to  press  this  resolution  at 
the  fall  session  of  Congress. 

I  am  glad  to  know  we  have  a  mutual  friend  in  Mrs.  A.  S.  Green. 
I  esteem  her  friendship  very  highly.  Very  truly  yours, 

C.  C.  CARLIN. 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  113  3d    St.  South,  December  7,  1908. 
HONORABLE  C.  C.  CARLIN,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir, —  By  to-day's  mail  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  Minutes 
of  this  Association  of  1907,  with  marked  pages  on  a  resolution  adopted 
to  restore  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis,  ante-bellum  Secretary  of  War, 
to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge. 

With  this  letter  I  enclose  a  short  account  of  the  efforts  of  this 
Association  for  the  above  end;  I  will  add,  that  this  Association  is 
more  far-reaching  than  its  name  indicates,  as  it  is  an  association  of 
organizations — not  of  individuals  in  the  usual  sense,  and  I  beg  that 
you  will  think  well  before  introducing  a  bill  in  Congress,  that  will 
assuredly  arouse  feeling  in  many  Confederate  men  and  women  repre 
sented  by  the  C.  S.  M.  A. 

Yours  cordially, 

MRS.    J.    ENDERS    ROBINSON, 
Va.  Committee  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  C.  S.  M.  A. 


This  bill  gave  me  great  uneasiness,  as  legislation  was  just  what  we 
wanted  to  avoid.  After  much  serious  thought  on  the  matter,  I  de 
cided  to  postpone  definite  action  until  the  convening  of  Congress  in 
the  following  December,  1908.  During  the  summer  of  1908  the  list 


84 

of  officials  coming  to  our  aid  increased,  but  a  cautious  quiet  prevailed 
among  those  friends  of  our  cause.  Immediately  after  Congress  con 
vened,  I  wrote  Mr.  C.  C.  Carlin  the  following  letters  on  December  7, 
1908. 

RICHMOND,  VA.,  113  3d.  St.  South,  December  7,  1908. 
HON.  C.  C.  CARLIN,  Washington,  D.  C.: 

Dear  Sir, — It  having  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  officials  of  the 
Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association  of  New  Orleans,  La., 
that  you  intend  to  introduce  a  bill  in  the  ensuing  Congress  of  1908- 
1909  demanding  to  know  of  that  body  why  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis,  Secretary  of  War,  was  erased  from  the  Cabin  John  Bridge,  we, 
the  officials,  inform  you  with  pleasure  herein  of  the  progress  made  by 
the  C.  S.  M.  A.  to  restore  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis. 

And  we  plead  with  you  to  withhold  your  bill,  believing  that  by 
its  absence  our  hands  will  be  strengthened,  and  an  advance  will  be 
made  toward  restoration;  while  the  presence  of  such  a  bill  as  we  un 
derstand  you  propose  to  offer,  or  in  fact  the  presence  of  any  bill  bear 
ing  the  name  of  Cabin  John  Bridge  in  relation  to  Mr.  Davis,  will  tend 
to  create  confusion  and  misunderstanding.  Furthermore,  the  worst 
passions  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  in  turn,  of  the 
Confederate  Veterans,  will  be  engendered,  and  our  good  work  checked 
for  many  years  to  come.  Now  we  implore  you,  as  a  Representative 
from  a  seceding  State,  as  a  friend  of  Confederates,  as  a  citizen  wish 
ing  harmony  and  peace  in  all  sections  for  the  betterment  of  the  United 
States — we  implore  you  to  withhold  your  bill  for  a  year,  or  more, 
until  the  C.  S.  M.  A.  has  time  to  develop  their  plans  for  restoration. 
Relying  upon  your  aid,  we  submit  a  summary  of  the  facts: 

CONFEDERATED  SOUTHERN  MEMORIAL  ASSOCIATION. 

June  1,  1907 — Resolution  to  restore  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  adopted. 
President  instructed  to  appoint  a  Cabin  John  Bridge  Committee. 
This  she  did. 

July,  1907 — President  C.  S.  M.  A.  wrote  to  her  Congressional  Repre 
sentative,  Adolph  Meyer,  who  took  the  matter  up  at  once,  reporting 
to  Mrs.  Behan  that  he  had  several  interviews  with  Mr.  Taft, 
Secretary  of  War,  that  were  most  satisfactory. 

1907 — General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  Commander-in-Chief,  U.  C.  V.,  wrote 
Mrs.  Behan,  giving  his  active  support. 

1908 — On  the  death  of  Mr.  Adolph  Meyer,  Mrs.  Behan  referred  the  mat 
ter  to  Honorable  Murphy  J.  Foster. 

1908— Another  friend  was  lost  by  the  death  of  Gen.  S.  D.  Lee.  His 
successor,  Gen.  C.  A.  Evans,  has  taken  the  matter  up  with  en 
thusiasm. 


85 

Mrs.  Behan  consulted  other  prominent  men,  but  the  above  are  di 
rectly  connected  with  the  matter.  Now,  the  one  idea  common  to  all 
is,  that  the  matter  should  progress  slowly,  and  nearly  all  believe 
that  the  name  should  be  restored  quietly,  by  the  War  Department, 
through  some  Commission.  This  has  always  been  my  view  of  the 
case.  Not  wishing  to  weary  you,  and  believing  that  you  have  suffi 
cient  facts  to  give  you  a  clear  idea  of  our  work,  I  close,  renewing  my 
plea  for  your  silence. 

Very  cordially  yours, 

MRS.   J.    EXDERS   ROBINSON. 
Va.  Com.  Cabin  John  Bridge,  C.  S.  M.  A* 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  U.  S. 

WASHINGTON,  D.   C.,   December   11,   1908. 

MRS.  J.  E.  ROBINSON.  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association,  113 

South  3d  St.,  Richmond,  va.: 

Dear  Madam,— I  have  your  favor  of  the  7th  inst.,  and  for  your 
information  will  say,  that  I  introduced  a  bill  at  the  first  session  of 
the  present  Congress  for  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  to  Cabin  John  Bridge.  Since  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  I  do 
not  feel  disposed  to  press  it  at  present.  I  have  but  one  object  in 
view,  viz.,  the  restoration  of  the  name,  and  if  you  think  it  can  be 
accomplished  better  without  legislation,  which  I  very  much  doubt,  I 
am  perfectly  willing  to  suspend  activity  for  a  while  in  order  that  you 
may  have  an  opportunity  to  work  out  your  ideas. 

Very  truly  yours, 

C.  C.  CARLIN. 
Address  all  communications  to  House  of  Representatives. 

This  courteous,  most  considerate,  and  remarkably  wise  course, 
toward  the  C.  S.  M.  A.,  chosen  by  Mr.  Carlin,  gave  us  renewed  con 
fidence  in  final  success. 


In  January  and  February,  1909,  I  wrote  asking  the  co-operation 
of  our  Virginia  Governor,  our  two  United  States  Senators,  and  our 
Congressional  Representatives.  On  receipt  of  their  replies  I  mailed 
copies  of  same  to  Mrs.  Behan,  who  expressed  deep  gratitude  to  Vir 
ginia.  I  herein  give  copy  of  our  Governor's  letter,  with  list  of  the 
Virginia  officials  who  replied. 


86 

LIST  OF  VIRGINIA  OFFICIALS  HEARD  FROM. 
Senior  Senator    (U.   S.)    John  W.  Daniel. 
Representatives    (Congressional): 

3d     District — John   Lamb. 
5th  District — E.  W.  Saunders. 
6th  District— Carter  Glass. 
7th  District — James  Hay. 
8th  District— C.  C.  Carlin. 
9th  District — Bascom  Slemp. 
10th  District— H.    D.    Flood. 

NOT   HEARD  FROM. 
Junior  Senator  Thomas  S.  Martin. 
1st  District — W.  A.  Jones. 
2d     District — H.  D.  Maynard. 
4th  District— F.   R.   Lassiter. 

Doubtless  in  the  rush  of  Congressional  duties,  thes«  latter  gentle 
men  overlooked  my  letters. 


COMMONWEALTH  OF  VIRGINIA. 
GOVERNOR'S  OFFICE. 

RICHMOND,  January  15,  1909. 
MRS.  J.  ENDERS  ROBINSON, 

113  South  Third  Street,  Richmond,  Va.: 
My  Dear  Madam, — I  am  in  receipt  of  your  let- 
ter    with    enclosures,    in    reference    to    Cabin    John 
Bridge.      In   reply   will   say   I    will    be   glad   to   aid 
in  the  matter  referred  to  any  way  T  can. 

I  return  herewith  the  letters  enclosed  to  me,  as  requested  by  you. 
With  kind  regards  and  best  wishes,   I  am, 

Very  truly  yours,             CLAUDE  A.  SWANSON, 
Enclosures.  Governor. 

UNITED    STATES    SENATE. 
COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLIC  HEALTH  AND  NATIONAL  QUARANTINE. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  February  5,  1909. 
MRS.  J.  ENDERS  ROBINSON.  113  South  Third  Street,  Richmond,  Va.: 

My  Dear  Madam, — Acknowledging  your  esteemed  favor  about  the 
restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  I  beg 
to  say  that  it  commands  my  consideration  and  sympathy,  and  at  the 
proper  -time  I  will  do  whatever  may  be  fitting. 

I  note  the  views  set  forth  in  copy  of  your  letter  to  Mr.  Carlin,  with 
whom  I  will  confer. 

I  am,  madam,  with  great  respect,      Very  truly  yours, 

JNO.  W.  DANIEL. 


87 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

WASHINGTON,  February  8,  1909. 
MRS.  J.  Ex  DEBS  ROBINSON,  Va.  Comr.  Cabin  John  Bridge.  113  S.  Third 

Street,  Richmond,  Va.: 

My  Dear  Madam, — I  am  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  8th  and 
hasten  to  say  that  I  shall  gladly  co-operate  with  our  friends  in  re 
storing  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge.  It  will 
be  an  agreeable  duty  to  aid  in  honoring  in  any  way  the  memory  of 
Davis  and  of  assisting  you  ladies  in  this  cause. 

Yours  very  truly,  JOHN  LAMB. 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 
COMMITTEE  ox  ELECTIONS   Xo.  i. 

ROCKY  MOUNT.  VA..  February  9,  1909. 
MBS.  J.  E.  ROBINSON,  Richmond,  Va.: 

Dear  Madam, — I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  8th  inst.,  re 
lating  to  the  matter  of  restoring  to  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge",  the 
name  of  Jefferson  Davis,  and  beg  to  assure  you  that  I  will  take  great 
pleasure  in  aiding  you  to  the  accomplishment  of  your  purpose,  in 
any  way  possible.  Yours  very  truly, 

E.  W.  SAUNDERS. 


HOUSE   OF  REPRESENTATIVES   U.    S. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.  February  12,  1909. 
MRS.  J.  E.  ROBINSON.  113  Third  St.,  South,  Richmond,  Va.: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Robinson.— Referring  to  your  letter  of  recent  date, 
having  reference  to  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Mr.  Davis  to  the 
Cabin  John  Bridge,  I  beg  to  say  that  it  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to 
co-operate  with  my  associates  in  Congress  in  an  effort  to  induce  the 
War  Department  to  replace  Mr.  Davis'  name  on  that  structure.  I 
quite  agree  with  you  that  it  would  be  better  to  restore  it  through  the 
War  Department  than  by  legislation. 

Very   respectfully  yours,  CARTER  GLASS. 


COMMITTEE  ON  MILITARY  AFFAIRS. 
HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  U.  S. 

WASHINGTON.  February  8,  1909. 
MRS.  J.  ENDERS  ROBINSON,  113  South  Third  Street,  Richmond,  Va.: 

My  Dear  Madam, — I  have  your  letter  with  regard  to  the  restora 
tion  of  the  name  of  President  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge,  and 
can  assure  you  that  I  will  take  pleasure  in  doing  what  I  can  to  bring 
about  this  restoration.  Yours  very  truly, 

JAMES  HAY. 


88 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

COMMITTEE  ON   ACCOUNTS. 

WASHINGTON,  February  9,  1909. 
MRS.  J.  E.  ROBINSON,  Richmond,  Va.: 

Dear  Madam. — I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  thie  8th  inst.  in 
regard  to  Cabin  John  Bridge.  I  will  be  glad  to  co-operate  with  you  in 
the  matter.  Yours  truly, 

C.  B.   SLEMP. 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

WASHINGTON,    February    13,    1909. 
MBS.  J.  E.  ROBINSON,  Richmond,  Va.: 

Dear  Madam, — Your  letter  in  reference  to  tire  move  to  restore  the 
name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the  Cabin  John  Bridge,  has  been  received, 
and  I  write  to  say  that  I  will  aid  the  movement  to  the  extent  of 
my  ability. 

Sincerely  yours, 

H.  D.  FLOOD. 


These  replies  received  prove  Virginia  the  same  patriot  as  of 
old,  and  ready  with  hearty  accord  to  join  Louisiana  in  pleading  for 
the  restoration  to  one  of  the  pages  of  history  of  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis,  known  to  all  men  as  of  quiet  dignity  in  prosperity,  and  of  calm 
greatness  in  adversity. 

I  cannot  close  without  expressing  my  admiration  for  the  unassum 
ing  executive  ability,  the  tact,  and  the  judgment  that  our  President, 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  has  shown  in  bringing  to  thie  aid  of  the  C.  S.  M.  A. 
the  co-operation  of  the  highest  Confederate  and  Federal  officials,  for 
this  grand  work  of  restoring  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  to  the 
Cabin  John  Bridge  Aqueduct,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  U.  S. 

A  last  word  for  the  genuine  patriot,  Mr.  J.  B.  Home,  who,  with 
his  own  hands  re-surfaced  the  whole  face  of  the  tablet  in  the  bridge,  and 
then  re-carved  the  entire  inscription.  To  him  we  owe  deepest  and 
perpetual  gratitude,  and  his  name  should  be  taught  to  our  children 
forever. 

With  great  distress  at  my  enforced  absence  from  our  Convention, 
and  from  the  ever-glorious  gathering  of  our  beloved  Veterans,  I  am, 
Most  sincerely  yours, 

MRS.  J.  ENDERS  ROBINSON, 

(Virginia  Morgan). 
Virginia  Committee,  o/  Cabin  John  Bridge,  C.  8.  M.  A. 


GENERAL  CLEMENT  A.  EVANS, 

Commander-in-chief  of  the  United   Confederate  Veterans,  who  an 
nounced  officially  to  Confederates  the  restoration  of  the  name. 


HKAD<>rAKTj;KS  UNITKD  CONKEDHKATK  VKTKKANS  / 
NK\V  OKLKANS,  May  21,  I1")''  \ 


(  H:\KKAI.  OKPKRS 
No.  13 

I.  The  General  Commanding  has  pleasure  in  expressing 
tin*  satisfaction  he  feels  in  announcing  officially  that  the  name  of 
.IKITKRSOX  DAVIS  lias  been  restored  to  the  tablet  on  "  Cabin 
John  Bridge."  As  Secretary  of  War  of  the  United  States  he  had 
been  largely  instrumental  in  constructing  this  aqueduct,  and  to 
note  this  fact  his  name  with  others  had  been  placed  on  the  tablet; 
but.  during  the  War  between  the  States,  partisans  caused  it  to  be 
chiseled  off.  Mr.  Davis  being  at  that  time  the  President  of  the 
Confederate  States-.  By  this  restoration  an  act  of  justice  has  been 
done  to  one  of  America's  greatest  statesmen.  The  fact  is  in  itself 
trivial,  but  it  is  momentous  in  significance.  It  emphasizes  the 
truth  that  our  countrymen  will  recognize  worth;  that  Mr.  Davis, 
who  was  thoroughly  Southern  in  his  sentiments,  can  be  truly 
valued  by  those  who  were  once  his  enemies,  and  that  he  was 
actuated  by  lofty  motives  and  conceptions  of  duty,  as  were  other 
statesmen  and  soldiers  of  the  Confederac. 


II.  It  is  possible  that  this  desirable  result  would 
have  been  reached  had  not  our  glorious  women  taken  the  matter  in 
hand  and  pushed  it  to.  completion.  The  Confederated  Southern 
Memorial  Association  started  the  work  in  1907.  and  Mrs.  J.  Enders 
Robinson,  of  Richmond,  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  of  New  Orleans. 
assisted  by  the  V.  1).  C.  and  kindred  organizations,  have  the  thanks 
of  all  Confederates  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  work. 

By  command  of 

CLEMKNT  A.  EVANS, 

General  Commanding. 


Adjutant-General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 


89 

[Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Confederate  Reunion  held  in  Mem 
phis,   Tenn.,   June,   1909.] 

COL.  GUION'S  ADDRESS. 

Mr.  Commander,  Comrades,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  During  the 
time  that  Franklin  Pierce  was  President  of  the  United  States,  and  Jeff 
erson  Davis  was  his  Secretary  of  War,  a  number  of  important  works 
were  projected. 

One  of  the  most  important,  and  as  a  splendid  exhibition  of  engi 
neering  skill,  was  the  Cabin  John  Bridge.  As  many  of  you  know,  this 
was  a  massive  stone  bridge  spanning  with  a  single  arch  two  hundred 
and  twenty  feet  in  length,  the  Cabin  John  Creek,  and  by  an  aqueduct 
bringing  water  to  the  city  of  Washington  from  the  falls  of  the  Potomac. 

On  the  arch  was  cut  the  names  of  Franklin  Pierce,  President  of 
the  United  States,  and  Jefferson  Davis,  Secretary  of  War,  to  commem 
orate  the  commencement  of  this  work. 

In  1862,  by  an  order  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  was  erased.  This  was  done  when  sectional  feeling 
was  very  strong  in  the  North  against  Jefferson  Davis,  who  was  then 
President  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  and  while  the  act  can 
not  be  condoned,  it  can  be  understood,  when  we  consider  the  bitter 
feeling  then  existing.  It  suffices  to  say,  that  the  act  of  erasure  was 
not  a  wise  one,  because  Jefferson  Davis  was  then  the  Secretary  of  War, 
and  the  chipping  of  his  name  from  the  arch  did  not  destroy  a  historical 
fact,  and  the  erasure  only  accentuated  it.  I  am  glad  to  say  that  in 
the  last  few  years  a  much  more  liberal  opinion  is  being  expressed  by 
many  in  the  North  as  to  the  character  and  reputation  of  Jefferson  Da 
vis,  and  they  are  beginning  to  understand  him,  and  give  him  his  true 
place  in  history. 

(One  of  the  recent  pleasant  incidents,  and  which  has  caused  a 
warm  glow  in  the  hearts  of  the  Confederate  soldiers,  is  the  splendid 
action  of  Captain  Fremont  and  Commander  McCormick,  in  the  cere 
monies  connected  with  the  presentation  of  the  silver  service  from  the 
State  of  Mississippi  to  the  warship  Mississippi,  and  on  which  appeared 
the  bust  of  Jefferson  Davis.) 

This  act  of  erasure  has  always  been  resented  by  the  Southern  peo 
ple,  and  a  number  of  Confederate  women  have  been  particularly  active 
in  the  good  work  of  having  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  restored  to  the 
arch,  and  we  now  have  the  pleasure  of  knowing  that  this  act  of  justice 
has  been  done,  and  that  the  work  of  restoration  fell  to  the  lot  of  a 
Mississippi  workman. 

General  Orders  No.  13,  from  Headquarters  of  United  Confederate 
Veterans,  properly  pays  tribute  due  to  the  act  of  restoration  and  to 
the  part  played  by  Confederate  women: 


90 

The  following  are  the  resolutions  alluded  to  by  Col.  Guion,  which 
were  offered  by  Major  J.  W.  Gaines,  of  Army  of  Tennessee,  Camp  No. 
2,  of  New  Orleans,  and  were  adopted  by  the  Convention: 

It  is  but  right  and  proper  that  the  United  Confederate  Veterans 
hene  assembled  in  annual  Convention  in  the  City  of  Memphis,  Tenn., 
should  give  expression  of  their  approval  of  the  order  recently  issued 
by  Ex-President  Roosevelt,  for  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  Jefferson 
Davis  on  tire  tablet  of  Cabin  John  Bridge,  Washington,  D.  C. 

This  act  of  justice  must  commend  itself  to  every  true  American 
patriot  and  will  place  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  where  it  rightfully 
belongs  as  a  matter  of  history;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  United  Confederate  Veterans,  do  express 
our  appreciation  to  the  United  States  Government  for  this  recognition 
of  the  services  of  Jefferson  Davis,  Secretary  of  War,  and  for  his  furth 
er  proof  of  the  desire  of  the  Federal  Government  to  blot  out  all  that 
remains  of  sectional  prejudice  and  thus  unite  this  great  people  under 
one  banner;  and  furthermore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  express  our  thanks  to  the  Confederated  South 
ern  Memorial  Association  for  its  action  in  bringing  this  subject  so 
forcibly  to  the  minds  and  attention  of  the  officials  at  Washington  by 
the  adoption  of  a  resolution  to  this  effect  at  its  annual  Convention  in 
Richmond,  June  1st,  1907. 


[Telegram.] 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  July  14,  1909. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  New  Orleans,  La. 

I  have  tools  paid  fifty  dollars  will  write. 

SAMUEL  E.   LEWIS,  M.  D. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF   JAMES   BUCHANAN  HORNE,   STONECUTTER. 

The  Washington  Aqueduct,  known  as  Cabin  John  Bridge,  forms 
part  of  the  system  which  supplies  the  city  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  with 
water.  It  is  420  feet  in  length,  its  span  is  250  feet— one  of  the  largest 
stone  arches  in  the  world.  It  was  begun  building  in  1853,  while 
Jefferson  Davis,  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  was  Secretary  of  War. 
During  the  War  between  the  States  the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis 
was  erased  through  order  of  Caleb  B.  Smith,  Secretary  of  the  In 
terior,  by  John  Babbinger.  a  stone-cutter  workman.  In  1909,  Presi 
dent  Roosevelt  ordered  the  name  to  be  restored.  J.  B.  Home,  a  stone 
cutter  from  Moss  Point,  Miss.,  subcontracted  the  work  from  the 
original  contractor  for  the  sum  of  $127.75.  He  began  the  work  of 
restoration  Tuesday,  April  13th.  The  completion  of  the  restoration  of 


JAMES  BUCHANAN  HORNE, 

And   the   tools    that   were   used   for   the    first   and   the   last   time   on   the 

restoration.     They  will  be  deposited  in  the  Davis  Annex  of  the 

Memorial  Hall,  in  New  Orleans.     The  tools  are  now 

owned  by  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan. 


91 

the  name  of  Jefferson  Davis  was  effected  Friday,  May  14,  1909.     The 
dressing  of  the  work  and  final  completion  was  ended  May  19,  1909. 

The  tablet  was  of  the  dismensions  of  5  feet  high  by  11  feet  long, 
embracing  an  area  of  55  square  feet.  It  was  necessary  to  remove  the 
entire  inscription  to  a  depth  of  one  inch,  and  re-cut  the  same 
with  the  restoration  of  the  name  of  President  Davis. 

The  tools  with  which  this  work  was  done  consisted  of  twenty-four 
chisels  and  one  hammer  bought  new  for  that  work,  and  have  never 
been  used  on  any  other  work.  These  aforesaid  tools  are  hereby  sold 
to  Mrs.  Katie  Walker  Behan,  of  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  this  14th 
day  of  July,  1909,  for  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  and  are  herewith  turn 
ed  over  to  her. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  July  14,  1909.  J.  B.  H'ORXE. 

District  of  Columbia,  ss.: 

On  this  14th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1909,  personally  appeared  before 
me  the  said  J.  B.  Home,  who  being  duly  sworn,  according  to  law,  de 
clared  the  matter  and  things  set  forth  in  the  foregoing  instrument  to 
be  true  and  correct  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  belief,  and  th,€< 
execution  of  same  his  act  and  deed.  JOHN  L.  FLETCHER, 

[Seal.]  Notary  Public,  D.  C. 

WASHINGTON,  D.   C.,   July  18,  1909. 
MRS.   J.    ENDERS   ROBINSON,  Richmond,   Va.: 

My  Dear  Madam, — I  thank  you  for  the  favor  of  the  information 
and  suggestions  contained  in  your  note,  and  the  copy  of  the  letter  writ 
ten  Mrs.  Behan. 

In  attending  to  the  matter  entrusted  to  my  hands  by  Mrs.  Behan,  I 
shall  endeavor  to  safeguard  beyond  question  the  identity  of  the  tools 
and  the  legal  transfer  to  Mrs.  Behan. 

I  am  very  glad  to  learn  that  my  letter  to  Mrs.  Behan  met  with! 
your  approval.  Yours  very  respectfully, 

SAMUEL  E.  LEWIS,  M.  D. 
Chairman  Monumental  Committee  U.  C.  Veterans. 


LETTER  FROM  HON.  ALBERT  ESTOPINAL,  LOUISIANA  MEMBER 

OF   CONGRESS. 

WASHINGTON.  D.  C.,  July  19,  1909. 
MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN,  New  Orleans,  La.: 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Behan. — Immediately  upon  receipt  of  your  wire, 
requesting  me  to  see  Dr.  Lewis  regarding  the  tools,  I  sent 
my  secretary  to  Mr.  Home's  residence  and  learned  that  Dr.  Lewis  had 
just  been  there  and  purchased  the  tools.  The  evening  of  the  same 
day  the  Doctor  called  on  me  to  inform  me  of  that  fact.  I  am  very 
glad  you  secured  the  tools,  as  I  consider  that  you  are  rightfully  en- 


92 

titled  to  them.  No  one  furnished  with  the  facts  leading  to  the  re 
storation  of  the  original  inscription  on  Cabin  John  Bridge  can  ques 
tion  the  efficiency  of  your  splendid  work  in  bringing  about  that  re 
sult,  and  the  claim  of  no  other  person  to  the  credit  can  be  seriously 
maintained.  Very  respectfully  yours, 

ALBERT  ESTOPINAL. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  July  31,  1909. 
DEAR  MRS.  BEHAN: 

To-day  I  succeeded  in  getting  all  the  tools  marked  by  Mr.  Home.  I 
think  you  will  readily  understand  the  inscriptions.  I  had  to  purchase 
for  the  work  a  set  of  steel  letters  at  $2.20,  and  I  paid  Mr.  Home  $5.00. 
I  am  arranging  to  have  a  suitable  box  made  for  the  tools,  which 
will  serve  as  a  cabinet.  I  finally  concluded  it  best  to  have  that  work 
done  here,  as  it  will  avoid  handling  of  the  tools  by  strangers,  and 
possible  loss,  should  the  matter  be  delayed  to  be  done  in  New  Orleans. 

Herewith  I  hand  you  Memorandum  Sketch,  which  is  descriptive  and 
should  be  preserved.  It  is  rather  crude,  but  practical.  I  am  sorry 
it  is  not  in  better  style.  Yours  respectfully, 

SAMUEL  E.  LEWIS,  M.  D. 
Chairman  Monumental  Committee  U.  C.  Veterans. 


FINAL  REPOSITORY  OF  THE  TOOLS. 
XKW  ORLEANS.  LA..  1207  Jackson  Ave.,  August  7,  1909. 
;--.  .!.  K\Di-:i!s  ROIMNSON,  Chairman  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  Publication 


Committee,  Richmond,  Va.: 

My  Deer  Mrs.  Robinson.—  In  reply  to  your  question  as  to  the  dis 
position  of  the  tools,  I  desire  to  state  that  the  tools  used  in  the  re 
storation  of  the  name  of  Jefferscn  Davis  on  Cabin  John  Bridge  will 
be  placed  in  the  Jefferson  Davis  Annex  at  Memorial  Hall  in  New 
Orleans. 

The  Jefferson  Davis  Annex  of  Memorial  Hall  in  New  Orleans  con 
tains  many  precious  relics  of  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States 
of  America,  and  of  his  daughter  "Winnie,"  the  Daughter  of  the  Confed 
eracy.  The  Annex  has  been  set  apart  exclusively  for  the  relics  of  the 
Davis  family. 

At  present  the  tools  are  the  property  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Behan,  of 
New  Orleans,  La. 

Yours  very   fraternally, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
President  C.   8.  M.  A. 


93 


Tools 

used     \ry  «^ 
J  B  Hotne  -  Stoire-cutW 
teii  of  -natn*  of 

Jeffcison1  Davis 

ON, 

Colin  John  Biidcre. 
1909. 


The  original  drawing  of  the  above  will  be  deposited  with  the 
Memorial  Hall,  New  Orleans,  La. 


tools  in 


95 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  1207  Jackson  Ave.,  August  7,  1909 
MRS.   J.  ENDERS  ROBINSON,  Richmond,  Va. : 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Robinson, — You  are  hereby  appointed  Chairman  of 
the  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  Publication  Committee,  of  the  Confederated 
Southern  Memorial  Association. 

You  are  vested  with  full  authority  to  contract  for  the  printing  of 
a  book  to  contain  a  record  of  all  that  relates  to  the  restoration  of  the 
name  Jefferson  Davis,  on  Cabin  John  Bridge,  at  Washington,  D.  C., 
as  executed  under  the  direction  of  the  "Cabin  John  Bridge"  Committee 
of  the  Confederated  Southern  Memorial  Association. 

The  cost  of  publication  to  be  according  to  estimate  submitted  by  the 
Richmond  Press,  Inc.,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  the  size  of  edition, 
time  of  delivery,  proof-reading,  and  all  other  details  are  left  in  your 
hands.  As  Chairman  of  this  Publication  Committee  you  will  solicit 
subscriptions  from  Memorial  Associations  and  other  parties  inter 
ested,  and  have  said  subscriptions  made  payable  to  you. 

Yours  very   fraternally, 

MRS.  W.  J.  BEHAN, 
President  C.   8.  M.  A. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWE1 

LOAN  DEPT. 


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